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Reconstructing Repetitive Flood Exposure Across 78 Events From 1996 to 2020 in North Carolina, USA
Get PDFMeasuring flooding through time is crucial for understanding exposure and vulnerability — key components to estimating flood risks and impacts. Yet, historical records of flood inundation are sparse. In this study, we reconstruct flood extents for 78 damaging events in eastern North Carolina between 1996 and 2020 using high‐resolution geospatial data and address‐level National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records. We train random forest models on NFIP‐based labeled flood presence and absence data and a suite of geospatial predictors. Then, we predict the probability of flood damage at every 30 m grid cell within our model domain. Our models achieve an average Area Under the Curve of 0.76 and outperform flood extent estimates from process‐based and remote sensing models when evaluated against NFIP data for six events. We find that approximately 90,000 (2.3%) buildings in our study area flooded at least once, of which over 20,000 (0.53%) flooded more than once. Our estimate is more than double the number of buildings that filed NFIP claims between 1996 and 2020. Furthermore, 43% of flooded buildings are located outside the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Area. Our results illustrate that flood exposure, especially repetitive exposure, is much more widespread than previously recognized. By generating a comprehensive record of past flood extents using address‐level observations of damage, we create a first‐of‐its‐kind geospatial database that can be used to identify locations of repetitive flooding. This represents a crucial first step in examining the dynamic relationships between flood exposure, vulnerability, and risk. Historical records of flooding are hard to find, but understanding where past floods have occurred is important for identifying hazardous places, estimating impacts, and increasing resilience to future events. In this study, we use machine learning models to create maps of 78 flood events that occurred between 1996 and 2020 in eastern North Carolina using address‐level flood insurance data and observations of damage. Our models perform well at predicting locations of flooding or no flooding when compared to other flood maps available for six of the 78 events. Using our maps, we find that approximately 90,000 (2.3%) buildings flooded at least once, of which over 20,000 (0.53%) flooded more than once. This represents flooding at more than double the number of buildings that filed insurance claims. Additionally, 43% of flooded buildings are located outside of floodplains designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where flood insurance is mandatory. Our results demonstrate the value of simulating flood events beyond those that generate the most damage and get the most attention from governments, media, and researchers. This first‐of‐its‐kind database of flood maps can be used to better understand how flood exposure, vulnerability, and risk change over time. We use random forests to model 78 floods in eastern North Carolina and find over 90,000 buildings flooded, with 23% flooding more than once Between 1996 and 2020, we identify 2.2x more buildings flooded than filed insurance claims through the National Flood Insurance Program A large share of past flood exposure—43% of all buildings that flooded at least once—occurred outside of regulatory floodplains We use random forests to model 78 floods in eastern North Carolina and find over 90,000 buildings flooded, with 23% flooding more than once Between 1996 and 2020, we identify 2.2x more buildings flooded than filed insurance claims through the National Flood Insurance Program A large share of past flood exposure—43% of all buildings that flooded at least once—occurred outside of regulatory floodplain
Multiomics reveals metformin’s dual role in gut microbiome remodeling and hepatic metabolic reprogramming for MAFLD intervention
Get PDFMetabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), previously known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, is a growing global health issue associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. This study investigates the potential of metformin, a common anti-diabetic drug, to slow the progression of MAFLD using a multi-omics approach. Male Wistar rats were fed a choline-deficient diet to induce MAFLD and treated with metformin through their drinking water for 48 weeks. We conducted a comprehensive analysis including liver histology, untargeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and gut microbiome profiling to assess the effects of metformin on liver and gut metabolic patterns. Metformin administration led to significant changes in gut microbiome diversity and the abundance of specific microbial species in MAFLD rats. Histological analysis showed that metformin-treated rats had reduced lipid accumulation and fibrosis in the liver compared to untreated MAFLD rats. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses revealed that metformin corrected abnormal lipid metabolism patterns, reduced hepatic fat deposition, and influenced key metabolic pathways associated with MAFLD progression. Our findings suggest that metformin has a protective role against MAFLD by modulating gut microbiota and liver metabolism, thereby slowing the progression of hepatic fibrosis. This study provides insights into the therapeutic potential of metformin for MAFLD by addressing metabolic pattern disorders and abnormal changes in gut microbial diversity, highlighting its impact on lipid metabolism and gut-liver axis interactions
Association of age with adverse events following coronary atherectomy during percutaneous coronary intervention.
Get PDFBackground: Coronary atherectomy is used to treat severely calcified coronary artery lesions which are more frequent with increasing age, but its impact in older adults has not been sufficiently examined. Methods: We compared adults ≥ 18 years old who underwent coronary atherectomy during inpatient PCI in 2016-2023 from the Vizient Clinical Data Base and compared outcomes in younger (< 65 years), youngest-old (65-74 years), middle-old (75-84 years), and oldest-old (≥ 85 years) adults. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes included postprocedural complications. Results: Among 47,337 patients who underwent coronary atherectomy, 19,862 (42.0%) were younger adults and 27,475 (58.0%) were older adults, including 13,583 youngest-old, 10,206 middle-old, and 3,686 oldest-old adults. Compared with younger adults, youngest-old adults had higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.37, P < 0.001), ischemic stroke (aOR = 1.35, P = 0.005), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH) (aOR = 1.44, P < 0.001), acute kidney injury (AKI) (aOR = 1.43, P < 0.001), tamponade (aOR = 1.86, P < 0.001), and pericardiocentesis (aOR = 2.32, P < 0.001). Middle-old adults had higher mortality (aOR = 1.80, P < 0.001), GIH (aOR = 1.42, P = 0.002), AKI (aOR = 1.63, P < 0.001), tamponade (aOR = 2.52, P < 0.001), and pericardiocentesis (aOR = 3.13, P < 0.001). Oldest-old adults had the highest odds for mortality (aOR = 2.03, P < 0.001), GIH (aOR = 1.48, P = 0.016), AKI (aOR = 2.26, P < 0.001), tamponade (aOR = 3.86, P < 0.001), and pericardiocentesis (aOR = 4.21, P < 0.001). There was a significant interaction (P-interaction=0.035) between atherectomy and age groups with regard to the odds of in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: In this large claims-based study, in-hospital mortality, GIH, AKI, tamponade, and pericardiocentesis were higher in older adults compared with younger adults, in a stepwise manner by age group
First Report of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Galapagos: High Prevalence in Dogs and Circumstantial Evidence for the Role of Rhipicephalus linnaei as Vector
Get PDFThe current study investigates the presence and prevalence of Anaplasma species in dogs from the Galapagos Islands, focusing on the potential vectorial role of Rhipicephalus linnaei in the transmission of these pathogens. Blood samples were collected from 1221 dogs across four islands, with tick collections for morphological and genetic identification. The results revealed a significant molecular prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum (20.3%), predominantly in Santa Cruz (35.16%) and Isabela (18.9%), while A. platys was identified in 2.9% of samples. Genetic analysis identified the presence of A. phagocytophilum ecotype I, aligning more closely with European strains. Furthermore, R. linnaei was confirmed as the only tick species associated with dogs, suggesting its role as a vector for both A. phagocytophilum and A. platys . This study marks the first molecular confirmation of these pathogens in the Galapagos, contributing with important insights into the epidemiology of tick‐borne diseases in this ecosystem. The findings highlight the need for improved surveillance and control to reduce the risk and further spread of these tick‐borne diseases
Applying Behavioral Biometrics to Mobile Device Use Measurement in Children: Evaluating the Impact of Training Data Size, Proximity, and Type on Model Performance
Get PDFObjective Passive sensing applications are limited by their inability to determine who is using a device, a critical concern in child mobile device use research, where devices are often shared between siblings or between a child and their parent. Our previous work leveraged behavioral biometrics to identify a target child user; however, it is unknown what type of training data is necessary for optimal model performance. This study evaluated model performance across different characteristics of training data. Methods Thirty-six children (11.3 ± 0.9 years, 56% female) self-selected a video or a game on iPads for 10 min while laying and for another 5 min while sitting. The SensorLog application captured iPad accelerometer and gyroscope data while the child interacted with the device. Machine learning algorithms including Neural Network (NN), Random Forest (RF), k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN), and SwipeFormer were applied to determine the most important aspects of training data to optimize model performance. The aspects of training data evaluated included (1) varying the length (i.e., seconds of training data), (2) varying the user position (i.e., sitting, laying), and (3) varying the time proximity between training and testing data. F1 score was used to evaluate model performance. Results The SwipeFormer F1 scores were lowest when the training data was further from the test data (0 when training data was 11 min away from test data) and highest when training data was close to test data (0.91 when training data was the minute preceding test data). The SwipeFormer F1 scores were highest when predicting the user laying from laying (0.97) and sitting from sitting (0.94), and lowest when predicting the user sitting from laying (0) and laying from sitting (0). The length of training data had little impact on performance, with a SwipeFormer F1 score of 0.91 when training on one minute of data and a SwipeFormer F1 score of 0.94 when training on twelve minutes of data. Discussion Because researchers would likely be predicting users at different timepoints than their training data, research should focus on improving model performance for identifying users independent of time proximity for training and test data
The host response to influenza infections in human lung and macrophages cell lines
Get PDFObjective The innate immune response of an infected host is an essential defense mechanism to fight influenza virus infections in the respiratory tract. This response is essential to limit virus replication and spread. However, an exacerbated response may cause severe immune-pathologies. Therefore, it is very important to better understand innate immune responses at the level of its molecular networks in the context of viral infections. Data We infected human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and human monocytic (THP-1) cells with H3N2 influenza virus A virus and performed transcriptome analysis using next generation RNA sequencing at various times post infection. We report raw sequence data and normalized log2 transformed gene expression values. This data will allow researchers in the field to identify differentially expressed genes and pathways between the two cell types and over times post infection. Furthermore, our data enables comparisons to molecular studies performed in humans and animal models in the context of respiratory viral infections
Changes in the abundance and distribution of rorqual prey in the Northeast United States over four decades
Get PDFThe distribution, phenology, and population dynamics of species at multiple trophic levels have been impacted by climate change across a range of spatial scales. Upper trophic level species may be uniquely impacted through changes to prey species and foraging habitats in space and time. Improving our understanding of how known changes in the abundance and distribution of prey species influence prey availability for marine predators is key to understanding climate impacts on upper trophic level species. Rorquals, a group of baleen whales, are generalist feeders that employ lunge feeding to engulf large volumes of water and prey, thereby requiring dense aggregations of prey for efficient feeding. While climate‐driven changes have been well documented for some species of fish and invertebrates consumed by rorquals, changes to the distribution of rorqual prey in aggregate and the implications of these changes for rorqual foraging habitat have received little attention. We used a 40‐year time series of prey data to assess spatial and temporal shifts in key prey groups for four rorqual species in the rapidly warming Northeast United States. We found notable changes to the distribution and biomass of prey groups for rorquals through space and time. The center of biomass of key large‐bodied prey showed significant poleward shifts and biomass increased in the northern portion of the Northeast United States. Accordingly, we found significant increases in the biomass of large‐bodied humpback, minke, and fin whale prey in the northerly Gulf of Maine and George's Bank regions, with concurrent decreases in the biomass of large‐bodied humpback whale prey in more southernly Mid‐Atlantic Bight and Southern New England regions. In contrast, there was little evidence of change in the distribution and biomass of smaller prey groups, which are of key importance for sei and fin whales. Our results suggest that rorquals that primarily consume large‐bodied prey, humpback and minke whales, may be more likely to be impacted by climate‐driven shifts in prey than sei and fin whales that feed on smaller prey. Assessments of changing prey distributions are needed for proactive management in light of climate‐driven impacts on whale foraging habitat
Preemptive Mpox Vaccine Deployment: Aligning Strategy with Reality
Get PDFTO THE EDITOR—We appreciate Tsagkaris and colleagues’ commentary on our study, which draws attention to key aspects of mpox vaccine deployment in Greece and its broader relevance in the global context. We fully agree that logistical coordination, resilient infrastructure, and public trust are essential to an effective and equitable mpox immunization strategy, particularly under the pressure of sustained transmission as in Greece. Yet, beyond these broadly applicable challenges to vaccination efforts in outbreak settings, the mpox response highlights another fundamental but often underrecognized determinant of impact: the timing of vaccine deployment
When the Bones Speak: The Living, the Dead, and the Sacrifice of Contemporary Okinawa
Get PDFChristopher T. Nelson examines how ordinary Okinawans have struggled to live with the unbearable legacies of war, Japanese nationalism, and American imperialism and how they experience and remember sacrifice
TRANSIT TO THRIVE: ADVANCING HEALTH, MOBILITY, AND OPPORTUNITY IN GRANVILLE AND VANCE COUNTIES BY EXPANDING KARTS ACCESS
Get PDFTransportation is a key social determinant of health (SDOH) in Granville and Vance counties, North Carolina, where access to safe, reliable, and affordable transit significantly shapes health outcomes and economic mobility. This proposal applies public health frameworks related to Engagement, Leadership, Policy, and Systems to recommend an equity-driven strategy to expand transportation access. Recommendations include increased county-level funding for the Kerr Area Regional Transportation System (KARTS), infrastructure investments in sidewalks and other safe travel options, and support for local economic development that reduces reliance on personal vehicles. Policy options were evaluated for equity, impact, sustainability, political feasibility, and cost. The priority population is the “sandwich generation”—adults aged 45–64 who care for both children and older adults. A cross-sector task force to be formed by County Commissioners is recommended to guide implementation and support upstream investment that can yield downstream benefits in health equity, cost savings, and community resilience.
Keywords: rural health, rural transportation, health equity, social determinants of health, public health policy, Kerr Area Regional Transportation System (KARTS), Granville County, Vance County, systems thinking, leadership, community engagement.Master of Public Healt