Grant Program Research Articles

Emeraldine Salt-Nanocarbon Composites as a Material for Copper Recovery from Industrial Wastewaters

Nanocarbon films are characterized by high surface area[1], appreciable electrical conductivity[2], and good mechanical properties[3]. These properties make them suitable for application as electrode materials in various electrochemical processes. For instance, nanocarbon electrodes can be used for selective deposition of metals onto their surface[4]. In particular, it is beneficial to accumulate Cu atoms on the surface of carbon nanomaterials as such composite exhibits much improved electrical conductivity and strength. To make this process as efficient as possible, functional groups containing oxygen or nitrogen are attached to the nanocarbon surface, prior to electrodeposition, but their presence may deteriorate the capabilities of material for charge propagation.Alternatively, conductive polymers such as polyaniline (PANI) can be physically attached to carbon to improve their electrochemical properties[5], without introducing defects in the structure that negatively affect the electrical properties of the material. Different forms of PANI have substantial effects on the properties of composites, emeraldine salts (ES) have been chosen based upon their higher electrical properties. ES are characterized by the highest increase in electrical and mechanical properties of composites.Our research focused on the selective deposition of metals onto ES-nanocarbon composites from industrial wastewaters, which contained such metals as magnesium, iron, nickel, and copper. Aniline was electropolymerized onto the nanocarbon surface by cyclic voltammetry to make the material more suitable for recovery of metals from such source. The process of copper recovery was highly selective, which was confirmed by characterization of the surface by EDX mapping. Despite the trace amounts of copper (428 ppm) in the used industrial wastewater, Cu nanoparticles were highly visible on the PANI-nanocarbon surface after just one hour of the process. Analogously, nickel has also been recovered by this method, which demonstrates that the presented approach may be tuned for deposition of various metals onto nanocarbon to make previously unreported nanocarbon-metal composites. P.S. would like to thank the Ministry of Education and Science (MEiN/2022/DIR/3086) of Poland for financial support, which enabled the attendance to the conference. G.S. and P.S. would like to thank the Ministry of Education and Science of Poland for financial support of scientific work from budget funds for science in the years 2019–2023 as a research project under the “Diamond Grant” program (grant agreement 0036/DIA/201948). G.S., P.S. and D.J. would like to thank the National Centre for Research and Development, Poland (under the Leader program, grant agreement LIDER/0001/L-8/16/NCBR/2017). P.S. acknowledges the National Agency for Academic Exchange of Poland (NAWA, (under the Academic International Partnerships program, grant agreement PPI/APM/2018/1/00004) for supporting training in the Aalto University, which enabled the execution of the study. GS would like to thank also NAWA (under the Iwanowska program, grant agreement PPN/IWA/2019/1/00017/UO/00001) for financial support during the stay at the University of Pittsburgh in the USA. M. Cadek et al, Nano Letters, 2004, 4, 2, 353–356G. Stando et al, Scientific Reports, 2022, 12, 4358J. Salvetat et al. Appl Phys A, 1999, 69, 255–260G. Stando et al, Water Resources and Industry, 2021, 26, 100156A. Kumar et al, Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 2018, 57, 2, 70-97

(Digital Presentation) P-n Heterostructured Mos for NOx Gas Sensing

The significant air pollution caused mainly by exhaust and factory emissions has become a considerable hazard to human survival and development [1]. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a family of poisonous and highly reactive gases which forming at fuel high temperatures burn [2]. As an industrial source, such as power plants, industrial boilers, cement kilns, and turbines, NOx pollution is emitted by automobiles, trucks and various non-road vehicles (e.g., construction equipment, boats, etc.) [3]. Hazardous compounds such as NOx with negative environmental and human health consequences, must be controlled to avoid ecological disasters [4]. Metal-oxide-semiconductors (MOSs) as a class of chemoresistive sensors have attracted great attention in environmental monitoring, automotive emission monitoring and food safety testing, due to their low production cost, high sensitivity, simplicity of use and their ability to detect various gases [5].Due to its inherent advantages in charge carrier mobility, chemical activity, and redox potential, TiO2 (n-type) is a widely used and extensively researched MOSs. At the same time, CuO is also known to be an active transition-metal based semiconductor (p-type) having a lower electrical resistance value as well as a narrow band gap. A promising strategy for improving the gas sensitivity at room temperature (RT) is to apply p-n heterostructures to modulate resistance more strongly. The active surface area and nanoarchitecture affect the gas sensors' sensitivity. The provision of porous MOSs nanostructures to improve the diffusion channel and increase the adsorption of target gas molecules is the most promising means of achieving enhanced sensitivity [6-7]. The mentioned structures may be created using the glancing angle deposition (GLAD) reactive magnetron sputtering method. The TiO2/CuO heterostructure gas sensors were synthesized by reactive magnetron sputtering using the GLAD. The application CuO layer improves the gas sensor device's sensitivity due to electron-hole pair recombination and a reduction in the concentration of charge carriers in the TiO2 and CuO layers. The identical circumstances of 10 ppm and RT were used for each gas selectivity test. It demonstrates the potential of using heterostructured CuO/TiO2 nanorods as N2O gas sensors. Dynamic gas response analysis shows that the response time is only 47s, whereas the recovery time is 80s. The dynamic gas sensing measurements at various N2O gas concentrations exhibit excellent linearity at 50 ppb to 5 ppm range. The sensor's gas response was 2% at a very low N2O concentration (50 ppb) and 9.8% at 5 ppm. Thus, the research findings indicate that the p-n heterostructured CuO/TiO2 nanorods synthesized by reactive magnetron sputtering using the glancing angle deposition show fast response and recovery times in ultra-low N2O gas concentration in RT. It can be used as excellent N2O gas sensors for quickly monitoring air pollution. Acknowledgements. This research has been funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP13067814) and Nazarbayev University under the Collaborative Research Program (Grant No. 021220CRP0122). References Zhu, L., Zeng, W. Room-temperature gas sensing of ZnO-based gas sensor: A review // Sensors and Actuators A: Physical. – 2017. №267. –P. 242-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2017.10.021.Bhati, V., Hojamberdiev, M., & Kumar, M. The enhanced sensing performance of ZnO nanostructures-based gas sensors: A review // Energy Reports – 2019. №6. P. – 46-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2019.08.070.Daryakenari, A., Apostoluk, A., & Delaunay, J. Effect of Pt decoration on the gas response of ZnO nanoparticles // Physica Status Solidi (C). – 2012. №10(10). P. – 1297-1300. https://doi.org/10.1002/pssc.201200937H.B. Kim, S.P. Eckel, J.H. Kim, F.D. Gilliland, Exhaled NO: determinants and clinical application in children with allergic airway disease Allergy Asthma Immunol Res, 8 (2016), pp. 12-21Dae-Sik Lee, Jun-Woo Lim, Sang-Mun Lee, Jeung-Soo Huh, Duk-Dong Lee, Fabrication and characterization of micro-gas sensor for nitrogen oxides gas detection, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Volume 64, Issues 1–3, 10 June 2000, Pages 31-36M. Chen, Z. Wang, D. Han, F. Gu, G. Guo, Porous ZnO Polygonal Nanoflakes: Synthesis, Use in High-Sensitivity NO 2 Gas Sensor, and Proposed Mechanism of Gas Sensing, J. Phys. Chem. C. 115 (2011) 12763–12773. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp201816d.L. Van Duy, N. Van Duy, C.M. Hung, N.D. Hoa, N.Q. Dich, Urea mediated synthesis and acetone-sensing properties of ultrathin porous ZnO nanoplates, Mater. Today Commun. 25 (2020) 101445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.101445.

Alkaline Water Electrolysis – Investigation of the Charge Transport Limitations across the Separator Under Low KOH Concentration

Currently, the water electrolysis is employed when high purity hydrogen is required, or excess of cheap electricity is available. With a broader future perspective, an important benefit of this technology represents fact, that it can be powered from renewable energy sources. The hydrogen produced from renewables is, thus, “green” CO2 neutral, playing an important role as energy vector in the so called “hydrogen economy”. Nowadays, the hydrogen economy represents strategy for transition of our economy towards the renewable energy sources, with water electrolysis (denoted as Power-to-X technology) being a crucial part of this scheme.Nowadays, the alkaline water electrolysis technology (AWE) operating at elevated temperatures (70 – 100 °C) with KOH electrolyte (25 – 30 wt.% KOH) dominates in the field of industrial hydrogen production by the water electrolysis. The alkaline environment is advantageous since it does not require platinum-group catalysts. On the other hand, highly concentrated caustic solution at elevated temperatures used as a liquid electrolyte limits the flexibility of the process operation. Currently several alternative technologies offering higher production intensity (proton-exchange membrane water electrolysis) and higher efficiency (high temperature solid-oxides steam-electrolysis) are developed and approach industrial application state. There are also promising innovations of the AWE process developed, e.g. application of an anion-selective membrane (AM) as the separator alternative to the diaphragm used in the conventional AWE. The AMs of interest exhibit improvement, contrary to diaphragm, of anionic conductivity with decreasing KOH concentration and operating temperature. Therefore, application of such AM allows to reduce KOH concentration in a liquid electrolyte (down to 5 – 15 wt.%) and operating temperature, thus, solve the above-mentioned problems of conventional AWE in connection with renewables. Moreover, the AM is dense, therefore might represent more effective barrier for produced gasses than diaphragm. However, one has to keep on mind increasing solubility of gasses with decreasing KOH concentration followed by potentially enhanced H2 cross-over. Another non-negligible benefit of lower KOH concentration and operating temperature is lower electrolyte conductivity in the manifolds contributing to reduced parasitic (bypass) current. However, systematic research aimed at evaluation of real application potential and searching for optimal conditions of the AM at diluted KOH concentrations is so far missing.In the presented contribution, study on a behaviour of two types of the separators in the laboratory scale AWE stack in bipolar zero-gap configuration is presented. The separators used are: a) a homogeneous AM based on chlormethylated polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene copolymer functionalized by 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane (PSEBS-CM-DABCO) and b) a commercial composite diaphragm Zirfon™ Perl. The load curves were recorded to assess optimal performance of the stack with both separators at KOH concentration range of 1 – 15 wt.% and operating temperature range of 25 – 40 °C. The effect of different electrolyte flow rate through the Ni-foam electrodes was investigated as well. Additionally, 1-dimensional stationary mathematical model of single AWE (both with diaphragm and AM) cell corresponding to the studied laboratory set-up was developed to clarify the differences in the stack load curves recorded for the two studied separators. The Nernst-Planck equation is used to describe migration and diffusion transport in the cell, while convective flow of electrolyte in the porous electrode is considered in material balance. The gas evolution is neglected in the present model. A macrohomogeneous continuum theory is employed for description of the porous electrodes. The AM-solution interface is characterized by Donnan equilibrium. At all studied experimental conditions, the stack with AM outperforms the one with diaphragm. This fact is even more pronounced at KOH concentration below 5 wt.% due to occurring transport limitation, which is more significant in the case of the diaphragm, as demonstrated both by modelling and experimentally. The presented work clearly identifies interval of operating conditions, in which AM represents an important advantage over porous separator and opposite. Thus, it gives important hints for further development of this technology.Project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 862509).

EKSEKUSI PERJANJIAN KREDIT DENGAN JAMINAN FIDUSIA DI ERA PANDEMI (TELAAH KAJIAN MASLAHAH MURSALAH)

The government has a program for small entrepreneurs in terms of activating the provision of credit to weak economic groups for the welfare of people's lives. Credit granting programs with a Fiduciary system can help credit recipients and credit providers. If the guarantee right can be executed quickly with a simple, efficient process and contains legal certainty, this is one of the parameters of a material debt guarantee. This research method uses the Juridical Empirical method, which is an approach taken to analyze the effectiveness of a regulation/legislation or existing law. In this case the approach is used to analyze qualitatively the implementation of fiduciary guarantees in Indonesia. This study uses primary data, namely data obtained directly from the field through an interview process and secondary data, namely examining various legal materials through library research. The analysis used in this research is qualitative analysis which draws conclusions using deductive analysis. Fiduciary Guarantee Law Number 42 of 1999 regulates the execution of Fiduciary Guarantees in Indonesia where there are various variations of the execution, therefore the parties can choose which execution model they want. However, in practice how to carry out the execution of fiduciary guarantees when there are problem loans, many still do not know, especially the implementation in pawnshops, which in fact have just handled the fiduciary system installment credit program. Which model is used by creditors throughout Indonesia. It is hoped that by knowing the system, model or method of executing fiduciary guarantees in this study, people will know more about the ins and outs, their rights and the consequences when taking credit with fiduciary system installments to creditors.

Rural Location of Residence is Not Associated With Use of Telemedicine for Initial Medical Contact for Gender-Related Healthcare

PurposeThere is very little information available regarding the health needs of transgender and gender diverse adolescents and young adults with gender dysphoria who reside in rural areas of the United States. This study aims to determine if residing in a rural area is associated with the use of telemedicine services, such as synchronous voice-video appointments, for initial contact for medical interventions for gender-related reasons in adolescents and young adults with gender incongruence. MethodsThis study is a retrospective chart review of patients (N = 176) ages 10–24 years who had an initial medical appointment for gender-related concerns between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022. Participants were determined to be rural or not based on address eligibility for rural-related health care services by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Rural Health Clinics Program or the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy grant programs. The use of telemedicine versus in-person appointments were compared, as were initial medical prescriptions (hormones, psychotropic medications, contraceptives, etc.) and recommendations for medical follow-ups made at this initial appointment. ResultsMost participants did not reside in a rural location (N = 130). There was no statistically significant difference in the use of telemedicine versus in-person care in rural patients (22% vs. 78%) as compared to nonrural patients (21% vs. 79%), nor any statistically significant differences in the medical decisions made at the initial appointment with respect to rurality or modality of care. DiscussionResiding in a rural area is not associated with either choice of in-person care versus telemedicine services for initial medical appointments or medical decision-making.

Impacts of USDA-NIFA’s Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program: Improving Food and Nutrition Security of Americans

Impacts of USDA-NIFA’s Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program: Improving Food and Nutrition Security of Americans

Unintended effects of broadband grants on bank branches

AbstractThe Community Connect Grant (CCG) Program was created in 2002 to provide financial assistance for the provision of broadband service in rural areas. Although it aimed to strengthen the rural economy, it is possible that an increase in internet usage due to the program could have induced bank branch closures, which could have had unintended effects on the economy. This paper discusses the mechanism by which the program affects bank branches and estimates the magnitude of its effects using an event study model and find that receiving benefits from this program decreases the number of bank branches.

Senators propose new bill to streamline federal grants

A bipartisan group of Senators has introduced legislation that seeks to help streamline the administration of grant programs across the federal government.

What Makes a City “Smart” and Who Decides? From Vision to Reality in the USDOT Smart City Challenge

ABSTRACT The concept of a “smart city” has gained currency in urban policy as a recognition of the potentially transformative role advanced information technology will play in city operations as the twenty-first century progresses. Who decides what makes a city smart and who is that smart city for are crucial questions for the urbanist literature to systematically address. Despite the concept’s recent popularity, “smart city” is a contested term and remains a chaotic dimension of urban theory. Theorizing the smart city in a US context must address a particular mix of built forms, public policies, and social conditions—all of which shape how transportation and other systems help constitute the city. To deepen understanding of the smart city concept in both theory and practice, this research explores the framing, construction, and contestation of the smart city concept through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) Smart City Challenge (SCC), launched in 2015 as a competitive grant program with the intent to provide a spark for incentivizing the development of smart infrastructure in mid-sized US cities. We compare the action plans of the seven finalist cities selected to create plans to implement their visions, including Columbus, Ohio, the eventual winner. We employ interpretivist content and discourse analysis of the applications and award decision, as well as of early implementation in Columbus, to explore shared meanings of recurring themes and key concepts, building a grounded theory of the smart city in the US context. The findings of the comparative analysis reveal further insights into prevailing challenges in smart city deployment, particularly for areas lacking inherent technology platforms.

Who Captures the State in China? Evidence from Irregular Awards in a Public Innovation Grant Program

Who Captures the State in China? Evidence from Irregular Awards in a Public Innovation Grant Program

From Corridor to Network Macroscopic Fundamental Diagrams: A Semi-Analytical Approximation Approach

The design of network-wide traffic management schemes or transport policies for urban areas requires computationally efficient traffic models. The macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) is a promising tool for such applications. Unfortunately, empirical MFDs are not always available, and semi-analytical estimation methods require a reduction of the network to a corridor that introduces substantial inaccuracies. We propose a semi-analytical methodology to estimate the MFD for realistic urban networks without the information loss induced by the reduction of networks to corridors. The methodology is based on the method of cuts but applies to networks with irregular topologies, accounts for different spatial demand patterns, and determines the upper bound of network flow. Therefore, we consider both flow conservation and the effects of spillbacks at the network level. Our framework decomposes a given network into a set of corridors, creates a hypernetwork, including the impacts of source terms, and then treats the dependencies across corridors (e.g., because of turning flows and spillbacks). Based on this hypernetwork, we derive the free-flow and capacity branch of the MFD. The congested branch is estimated by considering gridlock characteristics and utilizing recent advancements in MFD research. We showcase the applicability of the proposed methodology in a case study with a realistic setting based on the Sioux Falls network. We then compare the results to the original method of cuts and a ground truth derived from the cell transmission model. This comparison reveals that our method is more than five times more accurate than the state of the art in estimating the network-wide capacity and jam density. Moreover, the results clearly indicate the MFD’s dependency on spatial demand patterns. Compared with simulation-based MFD estimation approaches, the potential of the proposed framework lies in the modeling flexibility, explanatory value, and reduced computational cost. Funding: G. Tilg acknowledges support from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) for the funding of the project LSS (capacity increase of urban networks). S. F. A. Batista and M. Menéndez acknowledge support from the NYUAD Center for Interacting Urban Networks (CITIES), funded by Tamkeen under the NYUAD Research Institute Award [CG001]. L. Ambühl acknowledges support from the ETH Research Grant [ETH-27 16-1] under the project name SPEED. L. Leclercq acknowledges funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program [Grant 646592 - MAGnUMproject]. Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0402 .

Impact of a Regional Grant Program Through the Lens of Social Cognitive Career Theory: A Mixed-Method Evaluation.

Evaluations of educational grant programs have focused on research productivity, with few examining impacts on grantees or effective program characteristics. This evaluation examined the regional grant program sponsored by Group on Educational Affairs to examine if and how grantees' careers were affected by funding, and if these experiences aligned with program goals. In this concurrent, mixed-methods theory-driven evaluation, quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed independently and then integrated to examine complementarity. Quantitative data examined differences among 4 geographic regions and included proposal and grantee characteristics abstracted from administrative records of 52 funded proposals from 2010-2015 grant cycles. Qualitative data from 23 interviews conducted from 2018 to 2019 explored the impact on grantees, with Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) serving as a framework for deductive thematic analysis. To facilitate integration of findings, quantitative data were layered onto each interview to permit exploration of associations between the 2 data types. Although significant regional differences existed in project length and amount of funding, there were few regional differences in grantee experiences. Despite small funding amounts, grants were perceived as career launching pads. The SCCT framework accounted for grantee experiences, including researcher identity formation and subsequent research, but did not capture collaboration phenomena. Integration of the 2 data types identified experience patterns unique to different groups of grantees (e.g., more or less research experience). The diversity among grantees suggests that clarification of program goals and stronger alignment with criteria for funding may be warranted. This evaluation illuminates why small educational grant programs may or may not impact interest and productivity in research. Implications exist for funders, including clarifying program goals and providing support for less experienced grantees. Future research should explore grantee subsets (e.g., underrepresented in medicine) to further identify what fosters or inhibits careers of medical education scholars.

Usage and the effect on knowledge about atrial fibrillation of an educational application, AF-EduApp

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): The AF-EduApp study is supported by an BMS/Pfizer European Thrombosis Investigator Initiated Research Program (ERISTA) grant. Introduction As the management of atrial fibrillation patients (AF) is complex, an integrated care approach is suggested, including tackling modifying risk factors together with rate and rhythm control and anticoagulation therapy. Patients often underestimate the effect of these pillars on their health and often have poor knowledge about these aspects. As smart devices have become more important in the past decades, they create opportunities to educate patients and improve the follow-up of these patients. Purpose We aimed to evaluate the usage of an in-house developed application, AF-EduApp, and its effect on patients’ AF knowledge levels. Methods A total of 152 patients with AF were included in this multicenter study with a follow-up of 12 to 15 months. One of the modules of the AF-EduApp contains information on AF, its treatment and related self-care. Knowledge about AF and its treatment was assessed through the Jessa Atrial fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire (JAKQ) with direct feedback on incorrectly answered questions. The JAKQ (and immediate feedback) were given to the patients via the application at baseline and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Patients are free to decide how frequently they want to use the app (except when questionnaires are available). Results The 152 patients had a total follow-up of 386.8±108.1 days and used the application on 130.1±144.7 days (33.6%). The education module was visited by 135 patients with a median time of 3.1 (IQR: 1.3-21.8) min (mean: 18.6±32.9 min) spent on education. The most visited education chapters were AF treatment (3.1 (0.4-9.5) min) and selfcare (3.1 (0.9-7.1) min)(Fig1). A significant increase in the knowledge level was seen in the 130 patients who completed all 5 moments (p<0.001, Fig 2A). This increase was driven by a significant increase during the first month of follow-up (baseline: 70.4±14.4 vs FU1: 82.4±14.4; p<0.001). The number that one of the 8 questions on AF in general was correctly answered at these 5 time points ranged from 2.7±1.6 to 4.8±0.7 (p<0.001, Fig 2B). The questions ‘Why are most patients with AF prescribed with oral anticoagulation?’ and ‘What is AF?’ were answered best, whereas the questions ‘Is AF always accompanied by symptoms?’ and ‘Can medication prevent AF?’ were most difficult to get right. Conclusion The AF application was reasonably used, about 1 out of every 3 days. Targeted education focused on JAKQ answers that were answered incorrectly significantly improved knowledge level over time. Stronger incentives need to be developed to have patients effectively look at the educational sections that pertain to incomplete knowledge.

UBC Reticulum: a province-wide network promoting surgical excellence and continuous improvement of general surgery in British Columbia.

The University of British Columbia's (UBC) Division of General Surgery is a diverse group, including both academic and community surgeons. Since its launch in 2019, the UBC Reticulum website has been a transformative tool in engaging general surgeons, fellows, residents, students and researchers through its many features and user-created content, such as its messaging board, Netter, and Connect feature, which connects members based on their specialty, location, procedures and interests. Reticulum also serves as a valuable repository of educational resources and is instrumental in the division's goal of improving continuing medical education; the Reticulum mentorship grant program provides financial support for practising surgeons pursuing peer-mentorship projects. UBC Reticulum serves as a model for how to coordinate surgical education, research and quality improvement within diverse provincial divisions.

Pandemic and Cultural Industries in a Regional Context

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly shaken the cultural industries. Researchers report significant financial and job losses worldwide for these industries. Much of the research on the pandemic and the cultural industries has focused on large cities. The objective of this research is to understand the impact of the pandemic on regional cultural industries. We studied the Outaouais region in Canada by conducting focus groups and semi-structured interviews with artists and cultural workers. Our results report on the problems caused by the pandemic, the spin-offs it has generated, the initiatives that have emerged and the role of cultural organizations during the pandemic. This research contributes to the advancement of knowledge by describing the situation of cultural industries in a regional context during the pandemic. The results of this research encourage the maintenance of certain activities in virtual or hybrid mode, the development of grant programs to attract artists to the region, and the development of events or platforms to promote networking between artists andcultural organizations.

Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (DOT)

Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (DOT)

My experience with the VMLRP and VSPG programs: They’re not trying to kill you… it just seems that way

Over the past 50 years, cattle prices have remained relatively stable and the cost of ordinary consumer goods has increased moderately, but the price of a veterinary education has skyrock­eted. The USDA’s Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) and Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) are well designed systems that incentivize veterinarians to practice food animal medicine in underserved, often rural, areas.

Familiarization and update of USDA NIFA Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment and Veterinary Service Grant Programs

In order to address the national need for food/large animal vet­erinary services for the public and private sectors of animal agriculture in the United States and Insular Areas, Congress passed into law the National Veterinary Medical Services Act (NVMSA) nearly 20 years ago. This Act allowed for the forma­tion, authorization of funding and appropriations of funds to allow the National Institute of Food & Agriculture (NIFA) to support the implementation of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) in 2010. The 2014 Farm Bill au­thorized the development of the Veterinary Services Grant Pro­gram (VSGP) in 2016. In coordination with State Animal Health Officials (SAHO), the VMLRP and VSGP support veterinarians through competitively awarded educational loan repayments and grants to fill the most serious veterinary shortage situa­tions in the United States. In addition, the program determines the best possible match between specific shortage situations and applicants’ knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences to enhance the likelihood that awardees will achieve sufficient professional success and satisfaction during their term of ser­vice so that they will continue in their service to the area. The goal of this presentation is to familiarize stakeholders of these two competitive veterinary service programs offered by USDA-NIFA to encourage their involvement and suggestions for en­hancements to the programs.

Sustainability and the development trends of rural retail business in the Czech Republic

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that influence the sustainability of rural grocery stores and to assess the effects of the ongoing consolidation and spatial concentration in rural grocery stores on the accessibility of rural grocery stores in the Czech Republic. In this paper, we start by presenting the continued decline of retail grocery stores in rural areas of the Czech Republic. The decline is seen to be especially severe in villages with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants. By examining official statistics from the Czech Republic and research papers from selected European countries, we see how the rural retail sector is monitored. We demonstrate the very good accessibility of grocery stores for residents of the entire Czech Republic, including residents of small villages. Differences in the external and internal environment of rural grocery stores were identified. Consequently, we also present the preliminary findings of in-depth interviews with rural grocery storekeepers in Southwestern Bohemia. The article ends with a summary of the current situation in rural retail. In policy terms, the research shows that more work needs to be done to identify, quantify, and then promote the advantages of rural retail. External factors influencing rural retail business are the high level of competition, grant programs for rural grocery stores, the relatively short distances consumers have to travel by car or public transportation to modern retail facilities with a wider assortment, better prices, and more attractive shopping space in modern retail facilities. Internal factors that negatively affect a rural retail business are staff with inadequate qualifications and an approach that is not focused on the consumer and his needs, and opening hours and a product range that does not reflect consumer requirements. The contribution of this paper is focused on the sustainability of entrepreneurialism in rural retail.

Strategy Generation for Risk Minimization of Renewable Energy Technology Investments in Hospitals with SF TOP-DEMATEL Methodology

Effective risk management plays an important role to improve renewable energy technology investments. Because of this issue, necessary actions must be implemented to effectively manage these risks. However, having high costs is the biggest disadvantage of the implementation of these actions. Therefore, it is not financially possible to implement different strategies together. In other words, it is necessary to identify the most important of these strategies. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to make a priority evaluation for the risk strategies related to renewable energy technologies in hospitals. For this purpose, a new model is generated with spherical fuzzy (SF) TOP-DEMATEL technique. In this process, significant indicators are defined based on literature evaluations. In the next process, the weights of these indicators are calculated. The main contribution of this study is that a new technique is proposed by the name of TOP-DEMATEL. In this scope, the final steps of TOPSIS are integrated to the analysis process of DEMATEL to overcome criticisms for classical DEMATEL technique. Moreover, a priority evaluation is carried out to understand the most critical risk management strategies in renewable energy technology investments. With the help of this analysis, it can be much easier to take risk management actions without having financial difficulties. It is determined that the weighting results of the criteria are quite similar for different t values. This situation identifies that the proposed model provides coherent and reliable results. It is concluded that government support is the most important strategy in this context. Additionally, technological improvements also play a crucial role for this situation. It is strongly recommended that governments should establish appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks to promote renewable energy projects. These frameworks can facilitate the financing and licensing of projects and offer economic incentives such as tax incentives and subsidies.