Northeastern United States Research Articles

An evaluation of cyanobacterial occurrence and bloom development in Adirondack lakes

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) have occurred in many low nutrient (oligotrophic) lakes in the northeastern United States. The Adirondack Park in New York is a large, mountainous region with many low nutrient lakes. There is a gap in understanding regarding whether cyanoHAB reporting data are truly reflective of the susceptibility of lakes to develop bloom conditions. We evaluated lakes with and without documented cyanoHABs for cyanotoxin synthetase gene quantification, phytoplankton community composition, and akinete abundance to identify conditions associated with the observation of cyanoHABs. We analyzed (1) contributions of cyanobacteria to the overall phytoplankton community, (2) differences in cyanobacterial communities and the presence of cyanotoxin synthetase genes, and (3) lake physical and geomorphological attributes as drivers of differences in cyanobacteria occurrence. Two sample types (water and sediment) were collected from 2 sample locations (nearshore and open water) in 5 lakes in 2021. We found cyanobacteria in all lakes and sample locations. Phytoplankton biovolume and cyanotoxin synthetase genes differed among lakes and by cyanoHAB history. Samples from lakes with documented blooms were associated with marginally higher total phosphorus. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling was used to identify which environmental factors influenced community structure. Our study demonstrates the importance of multifaceted approaches to detect cyanobacteria that may only be apparent during ephemeral bloom events and the similarities among lakes with and without a history of bloom reports. This work contributes to a better understanding of cyanoHAB occurrence in Adirondack lakes, and of conditions that may cause low nutrient lakes to be susceptible to cyanoHABs.

Caregivers of children with asthma alarmed by climate change: a cross-sectional study.

Climate change poses significant health risks, with children being particularly vulnerable to its adverse health effects. Children with asthma are expected to have worsening disease due to increased exposure to heat, air pollution, mold from flooding, and pollen. Understanding caregiver perspectives on these health harms is crucial for informing public health policy and education. Therefore, we aimed to explore caregiver perceptions of climate change-related health risks to children with asthma. In this cross-sectional study, a survey instrument was created and distributed to caregivers of children with asthma during their visits to pulmonology clinics located in an urban northeastern US setting and via email. Among 198 completed surveys, 78% of participants reported high levels of concern about climate change, with most respondents agreeing that climate change has already impacted their child's health. Examples provided by respondents included worsening asthma control due to air pollution, wildfire events, pollen exposure, and rapid changes in weather. Respondents who self-identified as female had greater concern. Most respondents agreed that these topics should be further discussed with their child's doctor. Although, barriers to such discussions were noted by the respondents. Caregivers of children with asthma have high levels of concern regarding climate change and report adverse impacts on their child's asthma. Clinicians caring for children with asthma should consider discussing the respiratory health impacts of climate change with caregivers. However, barriers to these discussions need further examination.

Potential environmental implications of sandbar afforestation: Insights from ecosystem restoration initiatives in a sandbar of Brahmaputra River Assam, India

Plantation in riverine sandbars offers an excellent opportunity for restoration of ecosystem with a vast potential for enhancing carbon stock. Afforestation on barren islands is challenging task; however, Padmashree Jadav Payeng has single-handedly transformed a sandbar of the river Brahmaputra into a forested landscape in India’s northeastern state of Assam. Such inspiring initiative needs more attention in terms of scientific assessment to quantify ecosystem value and services that can be enriched through such activities. This study uses remote sensing data viz., Landsat4–5TM and Sentinel 2 A data to provide a detailed information on spatio-temporal variability of land use land cover of study region from 1990 to 2021. It aims to conduct a scientific and systematic assessment of biophysical changes that have occurred in the sandbars, understand the status of afforestation, and evaluate the current levels of aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), and carbon stock in the selected sandbars. The spatial distribution of AGB, BGB and carbon stock is derived using linear regression model between SAR backscatter and field-based AGB. The results demonstrate that forest cover increased by 31.92 % and sandbar area is reduced by 26.87 % from 1990 to 2021. Spatially derived AGB ranges from 9 to 1295.89 Mg per ha, BGB from 2.35 to 290.50 Mg per ha and carbon stock from 6.18 to 763.34 Mg per ha. Ficus religiosa exhibits a high biomass, ranging from 564.7 Mg per ha to 994.7 Mg per ha, and a high carbon stock, ranging from 8 to 557.30 Mg per ha, attributed to its larger diameter at breast height (DBH). Moreover, phytosociological assessment was conducted for the studied forest, which reveal a total tree species richness of 79. The forest exhibits a total tree density of 395 individuals per hectare. Different biodiversity indices provide a comprehensive understanding of species composition; where results show a Shannon diversity index of 2.81, a Simpson's index of 0.08, a Menhinick's richness index of 2.7, and a Margalef's richness index of 5.26. The article provides detailed information on change in forest cover and present status of AGB, BGB and Carbon stock, providing evidence-based narratives on ecosystem restoration. The initiative by a single person has created a forested landscape and habitat for a large number of wild animals, contributing to better carbon stock and a healthier ecosystem. With regard to the current debate of carbon market, the study suggests the need of instrumentalization of carbon credits for such restoration activities to encourage increase in carbon stock. It also concludes that in-depth research should be taken up on long-term effectiveness of such plantation activities and the potential for scaling up these initiatives for ecosystem restoration in view of climate change mitigation and sustainable forest development.

Emotion Regulation Self-Efficacy as a Mechanism of Alliance and Outcomes in a Brief, Transdiagnostic Digital Mental Health Intervention: L'auto-efficacité de la régulation des émotions en tant que mécanisme d'alliance et de résultats dans une brève intervention transdiagnostique numérique en santé mentale.

Digital mental health interventions have shown promise for alleviating various forms of psychopathology, including depression and anxiety. However, the mechanisms of such interventions remain largely unexplored. The purpose of this study was to investigate a potential mechanistic process through which one hybrid digital mental health intervention (i.e., the Digital Clinic) might operate. We hypothesized that emotion regulation (ER) self-efficacy at the treatment midpoint may mediate the relationship between alliance (i.e., therapeutic alliance and digital alliance) and outcome (i.e., co-morbid symptoms of depression and anxiety) at the treatment endpoint. Data used in this study came from the Digital Clinic, a brief transdiagnostic telehealth treatment program augmented by a dual-purpose digital phenotyping and intervention smartphone app. Recruited primarily from primary care, participants were 82 adults (73% White, 64% cisgender women, mean age 41) receiving outpatient treatment in the northeastern United States. All constructs were measured with validated scales, including The Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (WAI-SR) for therapeutic alliance, the Digital Working Alliance Inventory (DWAI) for digital alliance, the PROMIS Self-Efficacy for Managing Emotions Short Form scale for ER self-efficacy, and the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety-Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS) for co-morbid symptoms of depression and anxiety. Significant reductions in co-morbid symptoms of depression and anxiety and significant increases in ER self-efficacy were found from baseline to treatment endpoint. Therapeutic and digital alliance at the midpoint each predicted reductions in co-morbid symptoms of depression and anxiety at the endpoint through ER self-efficacy, controlling for baseline scores. Findings suggest that ER self-efficacy may be a proximal predictor of clinical improvement that may be enhanced by therapeutic and digital alliance. Future controlled research is essential to improve knowledge of the mechanisms of digital mental health interventions and to enhance their effectiveness.

Monitoring Eastern White Pine Health by Using Field-Measured Foliar Traits and Hyperspectral Data.

Canopy foliar traits serve as crucial indicators of plant health and productivity, forming a vital link between plant conditions and ecosystem dynamics. In this study, the use of hyperspectral data and foliar traits for white pine needle damage (WPND) detection was investigated for the first time. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L., EWP), a species of ecological and economic significance in the Northeastern USA, faces a growing threat from WPND. We used field-measured leaf traits and hyperspectral remote sensing data using parametric and non-parametric methods for WPND detection in the green stage. Results indicated that the random forest (RF) model based solely on remotely sensed spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) demonstrated the highest accuracy of nearly 87% and Kappa coefficient (K) of 0.68 for disease classification into asymptomatic and symptomatic classes. The combination of field-measured traits and remote sensing data indicated an overall accuracy of 77% with a Kappa coefficient (K) of 0.46. These findings contribute valuable insights and highlight the potential of both field-derived foliar and remote sensing data for WPND detection in EWP. With an exponential rise in forest pests and pathogens in recent years, remote sensing techniques can prove beneficial for the timely and accurate detection of disease and improved forest management practices.

Abstract B013: Sociodemographic differences and inpatient outcomes of opioid use disorder among patients hospitalized for head and neck cancer in the United States

Abstract Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a rising public health concern in the United States. It poses substantial challenges in the management of head and neck cancers (HNC), given the pain associated with the disease. This study examines the sociodemographic differences in OUD among patients hospitalized for HNC in the United States as well as in-patient outcomes of HNC patients with OUD. Methods: We analyzed weighted retrospective data from the 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Sample database. We included patients 18 years or older with principal discharge diagnoses of HNC with or without secondary diagnoses of OUD using specific ICD-10 codes. OUD was defined as opioid abuse, dependence, poisoning or adverse effects. Baseline sociodemographic and hospital characteristics of HNC patients with or without OUD were compared using χ2 for categorical variables and Student’s t-test for continuous variables. We examined sociodemographic characteristics associated with OUD using multivariable logistic regression models. We assessed three in-patient outcomes including mortality, length of stay and total hospitalization charge (THC) adjusted for inflation. Further we included interaction terms to explore the combined effects of relevant sociodemographic predictors with depression. Results: There were 117,085 hospitalizations for HNC between 2016 and 2020. Among HNC hospitalizations, 3.2% were opioid users and 2.36% had a secondary diagnosis of OUD. The mean age of HNC pts was 63.3 years (SD 0.08). 78.3% were Non-Hispanic White, 11.8% Non-Hispanic Black, 6.7% Hispanic and 3.2% Asians/Pacific Islanders. HNC patients with OUD had higher odds of being female (aOR 1.32; 95% CI 1.09, 1.59) and having more than one comorbidity (aOR 1.088; 95% CI 1.047, 1.132). There were lower odds of OUD with older age >70 years (aOR: 0.25; 95% CI 0.10, 0.59), private insurance (aOR 0.66; 95% CI 0.50, 0.87), higher income quartiles (aOR 0.66; 95% CI 0.50, 0.87) and with hospital regions in the South compared to the North-East United States (aOR 0.57; 95% CI 0.43, 0.74). There was no statistically significant interaction between MDD and gender (aOR 1.27; 95% CI 0.80, 2.04) among patients with HNC and OUD. OUD was not significantly associated with increased mortality in patients hospitalized for HNC (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 0.83, 2.33), however OUD was associated with a greater LOS by 3.6 days (95% CI 2.52, 4.60) and an increased THC of $26,947 (95% CI 13232, 40662). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates significant sociodemographic disparities in the prevalence of OUD among head and neck cancer hospitalizations in the US. Female patients and those with multiple comorbidities had higher odds of OUD. Additionally, OUD was significantly associated with an increased LOS and THC. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that address the unique needs of vulnerable populations with OUD and HNC. Citation Format: Ted O Akhiwu, Inemesit Akpan, Michael Imeh, Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters. Sociodemographic differences and inpatient outcomes of opioid use disorder among patients hospitalized for head and neck cancer in the United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B013.

Trends in inpatient versus outpatient upper extremity fracture surgery from 2008 to 2021 and their implications for equitable access: a retrospective cohort study.

The aim of this study is to describe trends in inpatient and outpatient upper extremity fracture surgery between 2008 and 2021, along with identifying patient factors (age, sex, race, socioeconomic status) associated with outpatient surgery. Retrospectively, 12,593 adult patients who underwent upper extremity fracture repair from 2008 to 2021 at one of five urban hospitals in the Northeastern USA were identified. Using Distressed Communities Index (DCI), patients were divided into five quintiles based on their level of socioeconomic distress. Multivariable logistic regression was performed on patients from 2008 to 2019 to identify independent factors associated with outpatient management. From 2008 to 2019, outpatient procedures saw an average increase of 31%. The largest increases in the outpatient management were seen in humerus (132%) and forearm fractures (127%). Carpal and hand surgeries had the lowest percent increase of 8.1%. Clavicle and wrist fractures were independently associated with outpatient management. Older age, male sex, higher Elixhauser comorbidity index, DCI scores in the 4th or 5th quintile, and fractures of the scapula, humerus, elbow, and forearm were associated with inpatient management. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decrease in outpatient procedures. There is a shift toward outpatient surgical management of upper extremity fractures from 2008 to 2021. Application of our findings can serve as an institutional guide to allocate patients to appropriate surgical settings. Moreover, physicians and institutions should be aware of the potential socioeconomic disparities and implement plans to allow for equal access to care.

Bridging gas and aerosol properties between the northeastern US and Bermuda: analysis of eight transit flights

Abstract. The western North Atlantic Ocean is strongly influenced by continental outflow, making it an ideal region to study the atmospheric transition from a polluted coastline to the marine environment. Utilizing eight transit flights between the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) in Hampton, Virginia, and the remote island of Bermuda from NASA's Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE), we examine the evolution of trace gas and aerosol properties off the US East Coast. The first pair of flights flew along the wind trajectory of continental outflow, while the other flights captured a mix of marine and continental air mass sources. For measurements within the boundary layer (BL), there was an offshore decline in particle N<100 nm, N>100 nm, CH4, CO, and CO2 concentrations, all leveling off around ∼900 km offshore from the LaRC. These trends are strongest for the first pair of flights. In the BL, offshore declines in organic mass fraction and increases in sulfate mass fraction coincide with increasing hygroscopicity based on f(RH) measurements. Free troposphere measurements show a decline in N<100 nm, but other measured parameters are more variable when compared to the prominent offshore gradients seen in the BL. Pollution layers exist in the free troposphere, such as smoke plumes, that can potentially entrain into the BL. This work provides detailed case studies with a broad set of high-resolution measurements to further our understanding of the transition between continental and marine environments.

The Spread of Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma americanum) and Persistence of Blacklegged Ticks (Ixodes scapularis) on a Coastal Island in Massachusetts, USA.

In the northeastern USA, the distribution of lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) has expanded northward in recent decades, overlapping with the range of blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). Blacklegged ticks carry pathogens for diseases such as Lyme, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis, while bites from lone star ticks cause other diseases and the alpha-gal syndrome allergy. Lone star ticks can become so abundant that they are perceived as more of a public health threat than blacklegged ticks. Using the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, as a case study, we analyzed data from a total of 1265 yard surveys from 2011 to 2024 to document lone star tick presence and subsequent expansion from two peripheral areas, Chappaquiddick and Aquinnah, to all six towns. The timing of lone star tick expansion on Martha's Vineyard closely matched an increase in tick submissions to a pathogen testing center. At Chappaquiddick, drag sampling carried out in June 2023 and 2024 showed that both tick species were most common at wooded sites, where blacklegged nymphs were somewhat more abundant than lone star nymphs. However, lone star ticks occurred in a wider range of natural and peridomestic habitats than blacklegged nymphs, making them far more challenging for people to avoid and manage.

Evaluating the Perceived Value of Holistic Certification Among Nurses: A Descriptive Survey Study.

Purpose: Specialty nursing certifications serve as a validation of nursing knowledge in specific areas. Holistic nursing emphasizes comprehensive patient care and incorporates complementary alternative modalities (CAM) into daily care. Despite its significance, limited research has evaluated the perceived value of holistic nursing certification among nurses. Study Design: Descriptive survey design. Methods: The Likert-scale survey Perceived Value of Certification (PVCT)-12 Tool was given to holistic certified and non-certified nurses at a large, academic Magnet hospital in the northeast United States from 10/2022 to 2/2023. Additionally, non-certified nurses were asked to select the top three barriers to certification from a list of nine. The responses between certified and non-certified nurses were compared using the Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, or Student's t-test as appropriate. Findings: A total of 59 nurses (25 certified, 34 non-certified) met inclusion criteria. Ninety-six percent of certified nurses versus 64.7% of non-certified nurses agreed that certification demonstrates a commitment to the nursing profession, p = 0.004, but, otherwise, responses to the PVCT-12 Tool were similar. Both groups felt certification was more strongly associated with intrinsic factors (e.g., sense of accomplishment) than extrinsic factors (e.g., salary). Conclusion: Nurses were consistent in their perceived value of holistic certification, regardless of their certification status.

Analysis of soft rot Pectobacteriaceae population diversity in US potato growing regions between 2015 and 2022.

Soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP) bacteria are globally dispersed pathogens that cause significant economic loss in potato and other crops. Our understanding of the SRP species diversity has expanded in recent years due to advances and adoption of whole-genome sequence technologies. There are currently 34 recognized SRP species that belong to the Dickeya and Pectobacterium genera. We used whole-genome sequencing based analysis to describe the current distribution and epidemiology of SRP isolated from diseased potato samples obtained from commercial potato cropping systems in the United States. Our primary objectives in the present study were to: (1) identify the species of these SRP isolates recovered from potato samples across 14 states in the US, (2) describe the variation among SRP isolates from various US locations and track their temporal changes, and (3) evaluate the evolutionary relationships among these SRP isolates to deduce their source. We collected 118 SRP strains from diseased potato plants and tubers in 14 states between 2015 and 2022. We identified three Dickeya and eight Pectobacterium species from diseased potato samples. Dickeya dianthicola, Pectobacterium parmentieri, P. carotovorum, and P. versatile appeared to be the predominant species, constituting 83% of the isolates. Furthermore, all D. dianthicola strains studied here as well as 90% of US D. dianthicola isolates sequenced to date exhibit significant clonality. The prevalence of this specific group of D. dianthicola, temporally and geographically, aligns with the occurrence of blackleg and soft rot outbreaks in the northeastern US after 2014. The genomic diversity observed in P. parmentieri implies multiple introductions to the US from at least four distinct sources, earlier than the arrival of the predominant group of D. dianthicola. In contrast, P. carotovorum and P. versatile appear to be widespread, long-term endemic strains in the US.

Evaluating the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and chronic disease prevalence among food pantry users in the northeastern United States

Introduction: Fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption can be a protective factor for chronic diseases, but few studies have investigated the association between FV consumption and health risks for chronic disease in the context of the food and nutrition assistance system. The aim of this study was to assess the association between FV consumption and the prevalence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and body mass index (BMI) among food pantry users in small- to mid-sized metropolitan communities in the northeastern United States. Methods: We used data from three health surveys conducted among residents of communities in upstate New York to construct a predictive model of food pantry use. We then applied the model to a regional subset of SMART Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data collected in the northeastern United States to identify potential food pantry users. We examined the associations between FV intake and diabetes, hypertension, and BMI through univariate and multivariate logistic and linear regressions. Additionally, we investigated food pantry use as a potential modifier of these associations. Results: The analysis dataset included 5,257 respondents, of which 634 individuals (12.06%) were estimated to be food pantry users. Vegetables consumption was associated with decreased odds of hypertension and lower BMI, regardless of food pantry use. Fruits consumption was associated with decreased odds of diabetes regardless of food pantry use. The association between fruit consumption and BMI was modified by the use of food pantry. Among food pantry users, consumption of fruits was associated with a higher BMI, while among food pantry non-users, it was associated with a lower BMI. Conclusion: The overall protective effect of increased FV consumption on chronic disease risks suggest that increasing FV availability in food pantries may not only alleviate hunger but also contribute to better health. Further research is needed to elucidate what is driving the discrepant association between fruit consumption and BMI among food pantry users and non-users.

Evaluating neurosurgical society award recipients: An analysis of awardee characteristics with respect to gender, race, education, geographic location, and neurosurgical society

IntroductionProfessional society awards can substantially impact career trajectory of awardees in neurosurgery. Past studies have discussed the demographics of neurosurgery conference awardees in terms of gender and professional experience; however, a full assessment of awardee qualities and characteristics has yet to be studied. ObjectiveThe goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of neurosurgical society winners that focuses on gender, race, academic degrees, and institutional/geographic affiliation. MethodsData of awardees across 14 neurosurgical societies from 2019 to 2022 was recorded. Variables recorded include professional society, award classification, year won, age, gender, race and ethnicity, board certification status, MD graduation year, degrees obtained, awardee home institution location, h-index, and NIH-funding. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS. ResultsA total of 102 unique awards from 14 different societies between 2019 and 2022 were identified.Significantly more men (83 %) as compared to women (17 %) were awardees (p < 0.001). Awardees were significantly more likely to be Caucasian as compared to any other race (p < 0.001), and Caucasian awardees were more likely to be board certified and receive NIH funding. A higher proportion of male awardees had a PhD; however, the majority of all awardees were significantly more likely to not have a PhD or be board certified (p < 0.001). The majority of awardees were based in the Northeastern United States. ConclusionsAmong winners of neurosurgical society awards, significant differences exist with respect to gender, race, ethnicity, degree type, and geographic location. Future research endeavors are needed to explore the reason for why these differences exist to ultimately develop strategies that promote equal opportunities for all neurosurgeons.

“I’m trying to take the lead from my child”: experiences Parenting Young Nonbinary Children

BackgroundWhile research has emphasized the importance of parental support for LGBTQIA + youth wellbeing, there remains limited understanding of parental experiences with nonbinary children, particularly those prepubescent. This study aimed to explore how parents of nonbinary children ages 5–8 learn to support their child’s identity, examining initial reactions, emotional processes, supportive behaviors, societal responses, and associated challenges and rewards.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) within a framework of ontological relativism and epistemological constructivism. Nine parents of nonbinary children aged 5–8 from the Northeastern United States participated in semi-structured interviews lasting 60–80 min. Questions explored various aspects of parenting nonbinary children, including the child’s gender identity, parental feelings, experiences sharing the child’s identity, and challenges and rewards of raising a gender-diverse child. The research team, comprising individuals who identify as trans, genderqueer, and nonbinary, employed collaborative coding and thematic development.ResultsFour main themes were constructed: (1) Parents hear and support their child’s nonbinary identity, this theme highlights immediate acceptance and efforts parents make to affirm their child’s gender; (2) Parents learn about ways cisnormative society harms their child, here, parents recognize the societal pressures and barriers their children face; (3) Parents take significant and proactive steps to affirm their child, this theme documents the actions parents take to support their child in environments that invalidate their identity; and (4) Gender is just one aspect of who my child is, this theme reflects on parental insights of gender as just one part of their child’s overall personhood.ConclusionsThis study provides insights into the experiences of parents supporting young nonbinary children, emphasizing the importance of affirming expressed identity, the parent-child relationship, and proactive support in navigating cisnormative societal structures. Findings highlight the transformative experience of parenting nonbinary children, with parents often challenging their own preconceptions of gender and coming to more nuanced understandings. These results can inform supportive interventions and policies for nonbinary children and their families, and we hope to contribute to a growing body of research that shifts narratives towards joy, resilience, and community in trans and nonbinary experiences.

Unveiling spatio-temporal mysteries: A quest to decode India's Dengue and Malaria trend (2003-2022)

Dengue and malaria are two mosquito-borne diseases that are dangerous globally, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In India, these two diseases pose severe health issues as they account for 74.37 % of the total vector-borne disease burden in the country. The present study examined the spatio-temporal patterns of prevalence of dengue and malaria across all states in India. Data related to epidemiological statistics were obtained from the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) and the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) for 2003–2017 and 2018–2022, respectively. In this study, we have utilized the Mann-Kendall test, Modified Mann-Kendall test, Sens's slope, Innovative trend analysis, and Percent Bias for trend analysis. Furthermore, a hotspot analysis was conducted to compare and examine the evolving patterns of these diseases over space and time. The Mann-Kendall test showed a significant increase in dengue cases throughout India, with Sen's slope showing the fastest growth in Punjab. West Bengal exhibited the most significant ITA slope increase. The PBIAS slope showed a gradual rise from the southern to the northern and north-eastern states. Mann-Kendall results indicated a statistically significant decline in malaria cases, dropping mostly in Odisha, followed by the northern, southern, and north-eastern states. Only Mizoram displayed an insignificant upward trend in malaria cases. Hotspot analysis revealed that dengue fever hotspots expanded in India's central, western, and northern regions, affecting 66.72 % of the country, whereas significant coldspots remain unchanged. Malaria hotspots covered 47.46 % of north-eastern, eastern coastal, and northern areas, while coldspots almost remained unchanged. This study provides valuable insights for health authorities to prioritize and identify the regions that need immediate intervention regarding these two mosquito-borne diseases.

Evaluation of phytochemical, trace metals content, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Bonnaya Ruellioides (Colsm.) Spreng: An ethnomedicinal plant of North Eastern India

Bonnaya ruellioides (Colsm.) Spreng is an ethnomedicinal plant widely found in Manipur, a northeastern state of India and it belongs to the Linderniaceae family. The study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical content, trace metals, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of this ethnomedicinal plant in various extracts including chloroform, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts. Phytochemical analysis was done using standard protocols, trace metals content by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), antioxidant by DPPH, Reducing Power and ABTS assay. Antimicrobial activity of the plant was also determined by Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) assay. Phytochemicals such as phenol, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, and terpenoid were detected in the water extract, whereas tannin, glycoside, flavonoid, steroid, alkaloid, and terpenoid were found in the plant extracts of petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. Trace elements detection using AAS revealed the presence of Fe (0.298 ± 0.011 mg/g), Zn (0.083 ± 0.003 mg/g), Cu (0.024 ± 0.002 mg/g) and Mn (0.014 ± 0.002 mg/g) in the plant. Further, evaluation of antioxidant activity using DPPH scavenging assay in chloroform and methanol extracts recorded 411.59 ±2.62 IC50 (μg/mL ± SD) and 80.96 ± 0.68 IC50 (μg/mL ± SD) respectively. Reducing power activity of the chloroform and methanol extracts showed 249.27 ± 1.48 μM FeSO4/mg sample and 44.55 ± 0.47 μM FeSO4/mg sample, respectively, and for ABTS assay, 281.82 ± 2.19 TEAC/g dw and 168.65 ± 2.06 TEAC/g dw are recorded respectively. The antimicrobial study of the chloroform and petroleum ether extracts showed negative results for all the selected pathogens of bacterial and fungal strains. At the same time, the methanol extract showed positive for bacterial strains including Micrococcus luteus (17.50 ±0.54) mm and Escherichia coli (15.0 ± 2.0) mm, while negative for all the fungal strains. The results of the study demonstrated for the first time that B. ruellioides plant has notable phytochemical, essential trace metals, promising antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity. Thus, the findings of our study will contribute a scientific insight into the therapeutic applications of this ethnomedicinal plant in folklore medicines and enable the prediction of further applications in drug development.

The effects of substance use on non-communicable diseases among older adults aged 60 and above in the North-eastern States of India.

The North-eastern region of India has a relatively higher prevalence of substance use, which together with poor dietary practices and a lack of physical activity is one of the key risk factors for NCDs among older adults in the region. Understanding the prevalence of NCDs and their relationship to substance use can help develop preventive strategies and sensitization in North-eastern India. To assess the prevalence of NCDs and the strength of the association of substance abuse among the geriatric population of North-eastern states in India, for the development of preventive strategies. Data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI Wave-I, 2017-18) were drawn to develop this paper. The bi-variate and binary logistic regression analyses were carried out to predict the association between non-communicable diseases and substance use adjusting select socio-demographic characteristics. The paper revealed the prevalence of NCDs among urban people (61.45%) is higher than among rural people (42.45%). Hypertension (37.29%) can be seen as the most prevalent disease among the following given NCDs followed by Diabetes (8.94%). The chances of having Cancer are nineteen times higher (OR = 19.8; C.I. = 18.82-20.83) if an individual has past smoking behaviour after controlling for socio-demographic and physical activity variables. Since, the high prevalence of hypertension correlated with the high level of substance abuse, require immediate attention to develop appropriate intervention strategies for its control (substance abuse) and prevention of hypertension. In a lower middle-income country like India, preventive measures, rather than curative measures will be cost-effective and helpful.

Restoration seed and plant material supply chains are complex social networks

Previous studies have advanced the conceptual framing of a “supply chain” to describe and examine key steps, inputs, and flows related to the production and use of seed and plant material in ecological restoration. However, these studies have paid less attention to investigating interrelationships among social actors throughout the “supply chain” stages for ecological restoration and allied activities. We applied social network analysis metrics to evaluate the number, kind, and strength of relationships among 157 social actors in the nine‐state region of the Northeastern United States, where rapid growth in restoration activities is driving a demand surge for native seed and plant materials. Restoration supply chains are more complex than previous conceptualization suggests, and we argue that the term “restoration supply networks” is more illustrative of this complexity. Results highlighted interdependency among different sectors, marked variation in input and output flows across spatial–temporal scales, and interplay among linear and nonlinear supply chain steps. The restoration supply network in the study area had a core–periphery structure, with a core comprising end‐users such as government agencies, design and build contractors, and non‐profit organizations surrounded by a periphery of seed and plant material suppliers. It is important to avoid oversimplifying seed and plant material supply chains as linear systems with strong linkages. Understanding relationship patterns among supply network actors can enhance communication, coordination, and collaboration among actors in all key restoration supply chain steps, a prerequisite to overcoming seed and plant material bottlenecks and meeting global restoration goals in the coming decades.

Linking Interprofessional Community Health Experiences With Nursing Education: 15 Years and Counting.

Ensuring that nurses and other health care professionals are trained to work together in teams is critical. Recent literature describes interprofessional education (IPE) programs that meet community health needs. However, there is a need for descriptions of IPE programs embedded in the communities they serve. Bridging the Gaps (BTG) is a collaboration between academic health institutions/universities and community organizations in the northeastern United States. BTG links IPE with the provision of health-related services for under resourced communities. This article describes the development of one BTG Community Health Internship Program (BTG CHIP) affiliate site (BTG, Lehigh Valley). Since inception, 114 interns completed the program as part of BTG CHIP, Lehigh Valley, for a total of 3192days of service provided to the community. BTG CHIP, Lehigh Valley, serves as a case study for establishing similar community-based IPE programs. This article describes challenges, opportunities, and replication strategies.

Teacher Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Burnout: The Mediating Roles of Interpersonal Mindfulness in Teaching and Emotion Regulation

This study examined the relationships among teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, interpersonal mindfulness, emotion regulation, and burnout, with the intention of exploring the mediating roles of interpersonal mindfulness and emotion regulation. A total of 224 elementary school teachers from 36 elementary schools in a high-poverty, inner city setting in the Northeastern United States participated voluntarily in the study. Correlation and path analyses were conducted to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, interpersonal mindfulness, emotion regulation, and burnout were significantly related to each other. The results also showed that teachers’ interpersonal mindfulness and expressive suppression served as crucial mediating pathways from self-efficacy to burnout; thereby should be considered among the inventory of psychological resources that protect teachers against burnout.