Heartland Alliance

In July of 2020, the unamended 2018 IECC became the statewide energy code for the state of Nebraska. This represented a significant energy code advancement over the previous code – the 2009 IECC. To support the implementation of the new code, the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), along with in-state partners, including the Nebraska Energy Office and the Nebraska Code Officials Association, applied for and received a FOA award for an integrated and innovative training and education program.

AimsAssociations of plasma viscosity and plasma Ig levels (a determinant of viscosity) with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) events; and with CHD, cardiovascular disease (CVD: CHD and stroke) and all-cause mortalities.MethodsMeta-analysis of plasma viscosity levels from the MONitoring of trends and determinants of CArdiovascular (MONICA)/Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg, MONICA Glasgow and Speedwell Studies; and five other published studies. Meta-analysis of IgA, IgG and IgM levels from the Augsburg, Glasgow and Speedwell studies; and one other published study.ResultsOver median follow-up periods of 14–26 years, there were 2270 CHD events, and 4220 all cause deaths in 28 605 participants with baseline plasma viscosity measurements. After adjustment for major risk factors, (HRs; 95% CIs) for a 1 SD increase in viscosity were 1.14 (1.09 to 1.20) for CHD events; and 1.21 (1.17 to 1.25) for all-cause mortality. 821 CHD events and 2085 all-cause deaths occurred in 8218 participants with baseline Ig levels. For CHD events, adjusted HRs for 1 SD increases in IgA, IgG and IgM were, respectively, 0.97 (0.89 to 1.05); 0.95(0.76 to 1.17) and 0.90 (0.79 to 1.03). Corresponding adjusted HRs for all-cause mortality were 1.08 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.13), 1.03 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.14) and 1.01 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.06).ConclusionsAfter risk factor adjustment, plasma viscosity was significantly associated with risks of CHD events; and with CHD, CVD and all-cause mortalities. We found no significant association of IgA, IgG or IgM levels with incident CHD events or mortality, except for a borderline association of IgA with all-cause mortality.

Qualitatively assess experiences of occupational pregnancy discrimination. A fully remote phenomenological qualitative study was completed leveraging semistructured interviews with a sample of pregnant employees in the United States. Inclusion criteria included being pregnant, working at least 35 hours per week, employed at least 1 year at current employer, and without diagnosed depression/anxiety. Participants (N = 20) were, on average, 30 years of age, worked 42.6 hours per week, self-identified as non-Hispanic black (50%), and earned least a bachelor's degree (85%). Individuals successfully identified various forms of pregnancy discrimination, believing it occurred due to systemic issues or perceptions that women are weak. Most did not report experiences of discrimination fearing retaliation or being unaware of workplace protections. Pregnancy discrimination in the workplaces comes in various forms and is an issue for some working pregnant individuals.

InformationPicea sitchensis (Sitka spruce) is a very large tree that is locally common in the moist coastal ranges of the Pacific Northwest.The purpose of this work was to obtain and analyze the foliar essential oil of the Sitka spruce growing in the Oregon Coast Range.Foliage from three individual trees was collected and the essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation.The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatographic techniques (GC-MS, GC-FID, and chiral GC-MS).The major components in the essential oils were αpinene (1.2-12.5%,> 85% (-)-α-pinene), β-pinene (1.2-7.2%,> 95% (-)-β-pinene), myrcene (15.9-22.2%),β-phellandrene (9.1-25.1%,> 99% (-)-β-phellandrene), isoamyl isovalerate (2.3-6.4%),3-methyl-3-butenyl isovalerate (1.5-6.9%), and piperitone (2.9-18.0%,> 98% (-)-piperitone).The essential oil compositions of the Oregon samples are qualitatively similar to samples from British Columbia.However, sampling from other populations at other latitudes and at different seasons of the year would be necessary to fully describe the volatile chemistry of this species.

BackgroundCommunity-based psychosocial support (CB-PSS) interventions utilizing task sharing and varied (in-person, remote) modalities are essential strategies to meet mental health needs, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding feasibility and effectiveness.MethodsThis study assesses feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a CB-PSS intervention for conflict-affected adults in Colombia through parallel randomized controlled trials, one delivered in-person (n = 165) and the other remotely (n = 103), implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and national protests. Interventions were facilitated by nonspecialist community members and consisted of eight problem-solving and expressive group sessions.FindingsAttendance was moderate and fidelity was high in both modalities. Participants in both modalities reported high levels of satisfaction, with in-person participants reporting increased comfort expressing emotions and more positive experiences with research protocols. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder improved among in-person participants, but there were no significant changes for remote participants in comparison to waitlist controls.ImplicationsThis CB-PSS intervention appears feasible and acceptable in both in-person and remote modalities and associated with reduction in some forms of distress when conducted in-person but not when conducted remotely. Methodological limitations and potential explanations and areas for future research are discussed, drawing from related studies.

ABSTRACT This study aims to evaluate the effect of a mental health Narrative Community-Based Group Therapy (NCGT) in Afro-Colombian violence survivors. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Buenaventura and Quibdó, Colombia. Afro-Colombian adults (n=521) were randomly allocated to a NCGT (n1=175), a wait-control group (n2=171) or a Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA, n3=175). The CETA was described separately given conceptual/methodological differences. Lay psychosocial community workers delivered the NCGT. Symptoms were assessed before and after intervention/wait with culturally adapted mental health symptoms and gender-specific functionality scales. Intent to treat analysis and mean difference of differences were used for comparisons. In Buenaventura, a significant reduction in functional impairment (mean difference: −0.30, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: −0.55, -0.05) and depression (mean difference: −0.24, 95% CI: −0.42, −0.07) were found, with small and moderate effect size, respectively. In Quibdó, functionality improved significantly (mean difference: −0.29, 95% CI: −0.54, −0.04, small effect size). Even though differences in depression and anxiety were not significant, there were reductions in symptoms. The NCGT is effective in improving daily functioning among violence victims in the Colombian Pacific and has the potential to reduce symptoms of depression. Further exploration is required to understand the effects of a narrative group therapy for mental health in Afro-Colombian populations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01856673 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01856673)

Purpose This paper presents an analysis of interpersonal identity-based violence experienced by persons with communication disabilities in Iraq and the barriers reported to accessing supports. The use of communication accessible data collection tools is discussed as a means of enabling an inclusive response for multiple marginalised groups in relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 and 5. Result People with communication disabilities reported similar levels of interpersonal violence to those with disabilities of other types, characterised by high rates of deprivation and physical violence. Many participants did not seek support, but those that did were most likely to speak to a family member or friend, followed by consulting legal services. Barriers to accessing support were varied, with lack of transport being the most commonly reported. Satisfaction with research communication supports was high for all participants, including those with no communication difficulties, suggesting that the resources invested in communication access have benefits beyond those with communication disabilities. Conclusion Iraqi persons with communication disabilities, like those with other disabilities, face high levels of interpersonal violence. The use of communication supports in research addressing disability is likely to increase the representation of persons with communication disability in study samples and can benefit participants with other disabilities. This commentary paper, available in Arabic as a supplemental file, focusses on SDG 16 and also addresses SDG 5.