On-Orbit Performance of the BCP-100 Green Propellant Infusion Mission

The Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) spacecraft was launched in June of 2019 as a secondary payload on the Air Force’s STP-2 Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. GPIM is a BCP-100, a line of ESPA class spacecraft designed by Ball. The BCP-100 was designed around the capability to support multiple payloads on a single platform, and be able to fly in a wide range of orbits without the need to reconfigure the spacecraft in any way. Proving the flexibility and multi-role capability of the BCP-100 design, there are three secondary payloads on GPIM. In addition to the green propellant payload, iMESA, SWATS, and SOS are hosted on the spacecraft. These were provided by the Air Force through their Space Experiments Review Board (SERB) payload list. Finally, an advanced multi-layer insulation (MLI) technology, integrated MLI (IMLI), was employed as insulation for the propulsion subsystem. This technology was developed by Ball and Quest Thermal Group under Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) funding provided by NASA STMD. GPIM adds to the 15 years of combined flight time for the BCP-100 line. Ball Aerospace built the GPIM spacecraft for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) in order to provide a platform to accomplish on-orbit testing and validation of an AF-M315E based green propellant propulsion subsystem. After a very successful spacecraft commissioning phase that was completed in less than 24 hours, check out of the primary green propellant payload commenced. This included testing the primary and redundant catbed heaters, opening the latch valve, and commanding the thrusters in both open loop and closed loop control modes, all of which was accomplished within three and a half days of being on-orbit. The propulsion system employs five protoflight 1 N thrusters, four for attitude control and the fifth for use during delta-v burns to provide higher thrust. Characterization of the green propellant system has been on-going. This characterization includes performing closed loop delta-v burns, 3-axis thruster-based attitude control, and momentum dumping. In addition to these tests, on-orbit measurement of the thruster impulse-bit has been performed over the course of the mission. This measurement involves a complex command sequence in which the spacecraft must execute a delta-v, perform multiple maneuvers, spin down the reaction wheels, and execute a series of 200 msec long open loop thruster pulses. Analysis of the spacecraft motion that results from each thruster pulse provides the amount of force that was applied. This paper provides a brief background of the GPIM program, including objectives of the technology demonstration, and presents on-orbit flight results of propulsion tests performed to date

The impact of COVID-19 fiscal spending on climate change adaptation and resilience

Government expenditure and taxation have a significant influence on the long-term adaptation and resilience of societies to climate and other environmental shocks. Unprecedented fiscal spending in the COVID-19 recovery offered an opportunity to systematically enhance adaptation and resilience to future shocks. But did the ‘build back better’ rhetoric manifest in more resilient policy? We develop a dedicated fiscal policy taxonomy for climate change adaptation and resilience (A&R)—the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Financing Taxonomy (CRAFT)—and apply this to analyse ~8,000 government policies across 88 countries. We find that US$279–334 billion (9.7–11.1%) of economic recovery spending potentially had direct A&R benefits. This positive spending is substantial in absolute terms but falls well below adaptation needs. Moreover, a notable portion (27.6–28%) of recovery spending may have had negative impacts on A&R, acting to lock in non-resilient infrastructure. We add a deep learning algorithm to consider A&R themes in associated COVID-19 policy documents. Compared with climate mitigation, A&R received only one-third of the spending and was mentioned only one-seventh as frequently in policy documents. These results suggest that the COVID-19 fiscal response missed many opportunities to advance climate A&R. We draw conclusions for how to better align fiscal policy with A&R

The impact of COVID-19 fiscal spending on climate change adaptation and resilience

Government expenditure and taxation have a significant influence on the long-term adaptation and resilience of societies to climate and other environmental shocks. Unprecedented fiscal spending in the COVID-19 recovery offered an opportunity to systematically enhance adaptation and resilience to future shocks. But did the ‘build back better’ rhetoric manifest in more resilient policy? We develop a dedicated fiscal policy taxonomy for climate change adaptation and resilience (A&R)—the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Financing Taxonomy (CRAFT)—and apply this to analyse ~8,000 government policies across 88 countries. We find that US$279–334 billion (9.7–11.1%) of economic recovery spending potentially had direct A&R benefits. This positive spending is substantial in absolute terms but falls well below adaptation needs. Moreover, a notable portion (27.6–28%) of recovery spending may have had negative impacts on A&R, acting to lock in non-resilient infrastructure. We add a deep learning algorithm to consider A&R themes in associated COVID-19 policy documents. Compared with climate mitigation, A&R received only one-third of the spending and was mentioned only one-seventh as frequently in policy documents. These results suggest that the COVID-19 fiscal response missed many opportunities to advance climate A&R. We draw conclusions for how to better align fiscal policy with A&R

Correlations between Activity and Blood Pressure in African American Women and Girls

Is the level of physical activity recommended by the Surgeon General enough to elicit the beneficial effects of exercise on blood pressure in African American women and girls? This study investigated self-reported physical activity level and its relationship to blood pressure in a population of African American women (N=25) between the ages of 21 and 53 years and girls (N=52) between the ages of 5 and 17 years, in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Physical activity levels were estimated by an interviewer-administered questionnaire, which determined the average hours per week over the past year spent in occupational and leisure activities. Blood pressure was also measured. 56% of the women had average physical activity levels of 3.7 MET-hours per week, and 73% of the girls had average physical activity levels of 3.9 MET-hours per week compared to the Surgeon General’s recommendation of 7.5-15 MET-hours per week. Inverse correlations between self-reported physical activity level and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were statistically significant in some but not all of the groups. These data suggest that increasing physical activity levels should be considered as part of an intervention program for African American women to control systolic and diastolic blood pressures

Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Increases Lung Basal Cells via Increased Yap Signaling

Basal cell; Fetal tracheal occlusion; MechanotransductionCélula basal; Oclusión traqueal fetal; MecanotransducciónCèl·lula basal; Oclusió traqueal fetal; MecanotransduccióFetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) is an emerging surgical therapy for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Ovine and rabbit data suggested altered lung epithelial cell populations after tracheal occlusion (TO) with transcriptomic signatures implicating basal cells. To test this hypothesis, we deconvolved mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq) data and used quantitative image analysis in fetal rabbit lung TO, which had increased basal cells and reduced ciliated cells after TO. In a fetal mouse TO model, flow cytometry showed increased basal cells, and immunohistochemistry demonstrated basal cell extension to subpleural airways. Nuclear Yap, a known regulator of basal cell fate, was increased in TO lung, and Yap ablation on the lung epithelium abrogated TO-mediated basal cell expansion. mRNA-seq of TO lung showed increased activity of downstream Yap genes. Human lung specimens with congenital and fetal tracheal occlusion had clusters of subpleural basal cells that were not present in the control. TO increases lung epithelial cell nuclear Yap, leading to basal cell expansion.Funding was obtained from NIH/NHLBI R01HL141229 (to BV)

The unruptured intracranial aneurysm treatment score A multidisciplinary consensus

Objective: We endeavored to develop an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) treatment score (UIATS) model that includes and quantifies key factors involved in clinical decision-making in the management of UIAs and to assess agreement for this model among specialists in UIA management and research. Methods: An international multidisciplinary (neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurology, clinical epidemiology) group of 69 specialists was convened to develop and validate the UIATS model using a Delphi consensus. For internal (39 panel members involved in identification of relevant features) and external validation (30 independent external reviewers), 30 selected UIA cases were used to analyze agreement with UIATS management recommendations based on a 5-point Likert scale (5 indicating strong agreement). Interrater agreement (IRA) was assessed with standardized coefficients of dispersion (v(r)*) (v(r)* 5 0 indicating excellent agreement and v(r)* = 1 indicating poor agreement). Results: The UIATS accounts for 29 key factors in UIA management. Agreement with UIATS (mean Likert scores) was 4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1-4.3) per reviewer for both reviewer cohorts; agreement per case was 4.3 (95% CI 4.1-4.4) for panel members and 4.5 (95% CI 4.3-4.6) for external reviewers (p = 0.017). Mean Likert scores were 4.2 (95% CI 4.1-4.3) for interventional reviewers (n = 56) and 4.1 (95% CI 3.9-4.4) for noninterventional reviewers (n = 12) (p = 0.290). Overall IRA (v(r)*) for both cohorts was 0.026 (95% CI 0.019-0.033). Conclusions: This novel UIA decision guidance study captures an excellent consensus among highly informed individuals on UIA management, irrespective of their underlying specialty. Clinicians can use the UIATS as a comprehensive mechanism for indicating how a large group of specialists might manage an individual patient with a UIA.Peer reviewe

Obeticholic acid for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: interim analysis from a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial

Background Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common type of chronic liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis. Obeticholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, has been shown to improve the histological features of NASH. Here we report results from a planned interim analysis of an ongoing, phase 3 study of obeticholic acid for NASH. Methods In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, adult patients with definite NASH,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score of at least 4, and fibrosis stages F2–F3, or F1 with at least oneaccompanying comorbidity, were randomly assigned using an interactive web response system in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive oral placebo, obeticholic acid 10 mg, or obeticholic acid 25 mg daily. Patients were excluded if cirrhosis, other chronic liver disease, elevated alcohol consumption, or confounding conditions were present. The primary endpointsfor the month-18 interim analysis were fibrosis improvement (≥1 stage) with no worsening of NASH, or NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis, with the study considered successful if either primary endpoint was met. Primary analyses were done by intention to treat, in patients with fibrosis stage F2–F3 who received at least one dose of treatment and reached, or would have reached, the month 18 visit by the prespecified interim analysis cutoff date. The study also evaluated other histological and biochemical markers of NASH and fibrosis, and safety. This study is ongoing, and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02548351, and EudraCT, 20150-025601-6. Findings Between Dec 9, 2015, and Oct 26, 2018, 1968 patients with stage F1–F3 fibrosis were enrolled and received at least one dose of study treatment; 931 patients with stage F2–F3 fibrosis were included in the primary analysis (311 in the placebo group, 312 in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group, and 308 in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group). The fibrosis improvement endpoint was achieved by 37 (12%) patients in the placebo group, 55 (18%) in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group (p=0·045), and 71 (23%) in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group (p=0·0002). The NASH resolution endpoint was not met (25 [8%] patients in the placebo group, 35 [11%] in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group [p=0·18], and 36 [12%] in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group [p=0·13]). In the safety population (1968 patients with fibrosis stages F1–F3), the most common adverse event was pruritus (123 [19%] in the placebo group, 183 [28%] in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group, and 336 [51%] in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group); incidence was generally mild to moderate in severity. The overall safety profile was similar to that in previous studies, and incidence of serious adverse events was similar across treatment groups (75 [11%] patients in the placebo group, 72 [11%] in the obeticholic acid 10 mg group, and 93 [14%] in the obeticholic acid 25 mg group). Interpretation Obeticholic acid 25 mg significantly improved fibrosis and key components of NASH disease activity among patients with NASH. The results from this planned interim analysis show clinically significant histological improvement that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. This study is ongoing to assess clinical outcomes

Many Labs 2: Investigating Variation in Replicability Across Samples and Settings

We conducted preregistered replications of 28 classic and contemporary published findings, with protocols that were peer reviewed in advance, to examine variation in effect magnitudes across samples and settings. Each protocol was administered to approximately half of 125 samples that comprised 15,305 participants from 36 countries and territories. Using the conventional criterion of statistical significance (p < .05), we found that 15 (54%) of the replications provided evidence of a statistically significant effect in the same direction as the original finding. With a strict significance criterion (p < .0001), 14 (50%) of the replications still provided such evidence, a reflection of the extremely highpowered design. Seven (25%) of the replications yielded effect sizes larger than the original ones, and 21 (75%) yielded effect sizes smaller than the original ones. The median comparable Cohen’s ds were 0.60 for the original findings and 0.15 for the replications. The effect sizes were small (< 0.20) in 16 of the replications (57%), and 9 effects (32%) were in the direction opposite the direction of the original effect. Across settings, the Q statistic indicated significant heterogeneity in 11 (39%) of the replication effects, and most of those were among the findings with the largest overall effect sizes; only 1 effect that was near zero in the aggregate showed significant heterogeneity according to this measure. Only 1 effect had a tau value greater than .20, an indication of moderate heterogeneity. Eight others had tau values near or slightly above .10, an indication of slight heterogeneity. Moderation tests indicated that very little heterogeneity was attributable to the order in which the tasks were performed or whether the tasks were administered in lab versus online. Exploratory comparisons revealed little heterogeneity between Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) cultures and less WEIRD cultures (i.e., cultures with relatively high and low WEIRDness scores, respectively). Cumulatively, variability in the observed effect sizes was attributable more to the effect being studied than to the sample or setting in which it was studied.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Sociales::Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (IIP

Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Scores

This dataset provides the first comprehensive taxonomy for assessing the climate change adaptation and resilience (A&R) characteristics of fiscal spending. We score each policy type for its potential impact on 'direct' and 'indirect' climate A&R. 'Direct' indicates explicit efforts to adapt to actual or expected climate effects. 'Indirect' indicates efforts that increase resilience or reduce vulnerability to climate effects, whether or not this outcome was intended to directly address climate risks. The policy types are derived from the Global Recovery Observatory, developed by the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford: https://figshare.com/s/ddb3c8e7a9e7ae7bd3ab   Further details are available in a forthcoming research paper.</p