Pedal Release Symbol

I'm scratching my head on this one. What are the two symbols above the 2nd system, 2nd bar? They look like pedal release symbols; but they are in an odd place, and there's no sustain symbol accompanying them.

After tinkering with playback, I think they may be some kind of accent, sforzato, or marcato. The rhythm is syncopated right there. Accenting those notes makes the syncopation obvious.

If you have better information, I'm always willing to be educated rather than guess! LOL!

Thanks!