Southern United States Research Articles

Provocative Findings From a Transdiagnostic Counseling Intervention to Improve Psychiatric Comorbidity and HIV Care Engagement Among People With HIV: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and alcohol/substance use disorders are prevalent among people with HIV (PWH), commonly co-occur, and predict worse HIV care outcomes. Transdiagnostic counseling approaches simultaneously address multiple co-occurring mental health disorders. We conducted a pilot individually randomized trial of the Common Elements Treatment Approach adapted for people with HIV (CETA-PWH), a transdiagnostic counseling intervention, compared with usual care at a large academic medical center in the southern United States. Participants were adults with HIV; at risk for HIV care disengagement; and with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and/or alcohol/substance use. Mental health and HIV care engagement were assessed at 4 and 9 months. Among participants (n = 60), follow-up was high at 4 (92%) and 9 (85%) months. Intervention engagement was challenging: 93% attended ≥1 session, 43% attended ≥6 sessions in 3 months ("moderate dose"), and 30% completed treatment. Although not powered for effectiveness, mental health outcomes and HIV appointment attendance improved in CETA-PWH relative to usual care in intent-to-treat analyses; those receiving a moderate dose and completers showed progressively greater improvement. Viral load showed small differences between arms. The dose-response pattern was not explained by differences between those who did and did not complete treatment. This pilot trial provides preliminary evidence for the potential of CETA-PWH to simultaneously address co-occurring mental health comorbidities and support HIV appointment attendance among PWH. Additional strategies may be an important part of ensuring that clients can engage in the full course of treatment and realize its full benefits.

LAI-ART Awareness, Willingness, Barriers and Facilitators among Black Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV in the US South.

Black sexual minority men (BSMM) continue to bear a disproportionate burden of HIV in the United States, with the highest incidence and prevalence in the southern region of the country. In Texas, BSMM living with HIV (BSMM+) have the lowest rates of viral suppression of all SMM and have lower antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence than white and Hispanic SMM. Long-acting injectable ART (LAI-ART) can potentially overcome several barriers to daily oral ART adherence (e.g., stigma, forgetfulness, pill fatigue). However, little is known about the knowledge, willingness, barriers, and facilitators regarding LAI-ART among BSMM+. From July 2022 to September 2023, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 27 BSMM+ from the Houston and Dallas Metropolitan Areas, Texas. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Most men knew about LAI-ART, but their understanding varied based on their existing sources of information. Some men were enthusiastic, some were cautious, and some reported no interest in LAI-ART. Barriers to LAI-ART included a lack of public insurance coverage of LAI-ART; fear of needles and side effects; the frequency of injection visits; the requirement of viral suppression before switching from oral ART to LAI-ART; and satisfaction with oral daily ART. Motivators of LAI-ART uptake included the eliminated burden of daily pills and reduced anxiety about possibly missing doses. BSMM+ may be among those who could most benefit from LAI-ART, though more research is needed to understand which factors influence their willingness and how the barriers to LAI-ART might be addressed, particularly among diverse communities of SMM of color.

Life cycle emissions and unit production cost of sustainable aviation fuel from logging residues in Georgia, United States

Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has gained popularity for reducing carbon emissions from the aviation sector. To evaluate the environmental and economic tradeoffs related to SAF production and its potential use, this study estimates the life cycle carbon emissions and unit production cost of SAF produced from logging residues generated during harvest and thinning operations in Georgia, a major roundwood producing state in the Southern United States. We considered two production pathways, i.e., Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) and Iso-Butanol-to-Jet (Iso-BTJ), to compute the carbon savings and unit production costs. A sensitivity analysis was performed to identify significant factors contributing to the overall carbon savings and unit production costs for the selected pathways. After considering revenues generated from co-products, the minimum aviation fuel selling price (MASP) was $2.71 L-1 and $2.44 L-1 for ETJ and Iso-BTJ pathways, respectively. Capital investment cost at biorefinery accounted for most of the MASP, followed by the minimum haul rate for transporting biomass and variable cost for alcohol intermediate production. Finally, after considering tax credit from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and RIN (Renewable Identification Number) credit along with co-product revenue, the MASP ranged between $2.29 L-1 and 0.83 L-1 for the ETJ pathway and between $2.04 L-1 and $0.59 L-1 for the Iso-BTJ pathway. In addition, the carbon intensity of both the ETJ and Iso-BTJ pathways were 758 g CO2e L−1 and 976 g CO2e L−1, with relative carbon savings of 70.6 % and 62.1 % compared to conventional aviation fuel. The production cost suggests a minimum abatement cost of $59 t CO2e−1 for the ETJ and -$59.3 t CO2e−1 for the Iso-BTJ pathways in the presence of federal incentives. Our study shows that logging residues-based SAF could reduce the overall carbon footprint of the aviation sector; however, policy support is needed to support its production in light of higher production costs.

Rural-urban stroke mortality gaps in the United States

IntroductionDisparities in stroke outcomes, influenced by the use of systemic thrombolysis, endovascular therapies, and rehabilitation services, have been identified. Our study assesses these disparities in mortality after stroke between rural and urban areas across the United States (US). MethodsWe analyzed the CDC data on deaths attributed to cerebrovascular disease from 1999 to 2020. Data was categorized into rural and urban regions for comparative purposes. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were computed using the direct method, allowing us to examine the ratios of rural to urban deaths for the cumulative population and among demographic subpopulations. Linear regression models were used to assess temporal changes in mortality ratios over the study period, yielding beta-coefficients (β). ResultsThere was a total of 628,309 stroke deaths in rural regions and 2,556,293 stroke deaths within urban regions. There were 1.13 rural deaths for each one urban death per 100,000 population in 1999 and 1.07 in 2020 (β = −0.001, ptrend = 0.41). The rural-urban mortality ratio in Hispanic populations decreased from 1.32 rural deaths for each urban death per 100,000 population in 1999 to 0.85 in 2020 (β = −0.011, ptrend < 0.001). For non-Hispanic populations, mortality remained stagnant with 1.12 rural deaths for each urban death per 100,000 population in 1999 and 1.07 in 2020 (β = −0.001, ptrend = 0.543). Regionally, the Southern US exhibited the highest disparity with a urban-rural mortality ratio of 1.19, followed by the Northeast (1.13), Midwest (1.04), and West (1.01). ConclusionsOur findings depict marked disparities in stroke mortality between rural and urban regions, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to mitigate stroke-related disparities.

Perceptions of Tree Risks and Benefits in a Historically African American Neighborhood

An expansive body of research demonstrates the social and ecological benefits of urban forests, although urban tree canopy density tends to be lower than average in areas occupied by marginalized populations. Non-profit organizations and local governments have initiated tree-planting programs; however, some of these programs have encountered local resistance. This study took place in a historically African American neighborhood in the Southern USA with a low tree canopy where residents expressed disinterest in replanting trees following a tree hazard removal campaign led by a local non-profit organization. Employing focus groups and interviews, we explored residents’ environmental attitudes and risk perceptions by asking about the risks and benefits of neighborhood trees and barriers to the enjoyment of them. The material and emotional bonds residents have with the neighborhood informed their preferences about trees and green space. Trees were often viewed as hazards and financial risks, although they were an integral part of residents’ identities for themselves and their community. The findings suggest that neglecting to look at diverse perceptions will challenge a city’s ability to communicate about the urban forest and, therefore, sustainably address disparities in tree benefits and problems.

The Spartan mother in America: 1865–1900

ABSTRACT This essay shows how newspapers in the postbellum United States invoked the memory of the ancient Spartan woman to express visions of women's place in the emergent American republic that deviated from the Victorian ideal. Journalists and social commentators from the Western, Southern, and Northern United States found in the fit, patriotic, and stoic demeanor of Spartan women, a model for the politically active and publicly involved the “new woman” that they increasingly desired. While primarily targeting middle-class white women, these newspapers and commentators hinted that one could venerate these qualities in females of other classes and social groups.

Functional reorganization of North American wintering avifauna.

Wintering birds serve as vital climate sentinels, yet they are often overlooked in studies of avian diversity change. Here, we provide a continental-scale characterization of change in multifaceted wintering avifauna and examine the effects of climate change on these dynamics. We reveal a strong functional reorganization of wintering bird communities marked by a north-south gradient in functional diversity change, along with a superimposed mild east-west gradient in trait composition change. Assemblages in the northern United States saw contractions of the functional space and increases in functional evenness and originality, while the southern United States saw smaller contractions of the functional space and stasis in evenness and originality. Shifts in functional diversity were underlined by significant reshuffling in trait composition, particularly pronounced in the western and northern United States. Finally, we find strong contributions of climate change to this functional reorganization, underscoring the importance of wintering birds in tracking climate change impacts on biodiversity.

Relationship Between Primary Care Physician Capacity and Usual Source of Care.

The NASEM Primary Care Report and Primary Care scorecard highlighted the importance of primary care physician (PCP) capacity and having a usual source of care (USC). However, research has found that PCP capacity and USC do not always correlate. This exploratory study compares geographic patterns and the characteristics of counties with similar rates of PCP capacity but varying rates of USC. Our county-level, cross-sectional approach includes estimates from the Robert Graham Center and data from the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings (CHR). We utilized conditional mapping methods to first identify US counties with the highest rates of social deprivation (SDI). Next, counties were stratified based on primary care physician (PCP) capacity and usual source of care (USC) terciles, allowing us to identify 4 types of counties: (1) High-Low (high PCP capacity, low USC); (2) High-High (high PCP capacity, high USC); (3) Low-High (low PCP capacity, high USC); and (4) Low-Low (low PCP capacity, low USC). We use t test to explore differences in the characteristics of counties with similar rates of primary care capacity. The results show clear geographic patterns: High-High counties are located primarily in the northern and northeastern US; High-Low counties are located primarily in the southwestern and southern US. Low-High counties are concentrated in the Appalachian and Great Lakes regions; Low-Low counties are concentrated in the southeastern US and Texas. Descriptive results reveal that rates of racial and ethnic minorities, the uninsured, and social deprivation are highest in counties with low rates of USC for both high PCP and low PCP areas. Recognizing PCP shortages and improving rates of USC are key strategies for increasing access to high-quality, primary care. Targeting strategies by geographic region will allow for tailored models to improve access to and continuity of primary care. For example, we found that many of the counties with the lowest rates of USC are found in non-Medicaid expansion states (Texas, Georgia, and Florida) with high rates of uninsured populations, suggesting that expanding Medicaid and improving access to health insurance are key strategies for increasing USC in these states.

The Southern Way of Life: Meanings of Culture and Civilization in the American South by Charles Reagan Wilson (review)

The Southern Way of Life: Meanings of Culture and Civilization in the American South by Charles Reagan Wilson (review)

Fall prevention in a pediatric unit: a best practice implementation project.

Inpatient falls account for 6% to 24% of pediatric safety incidents and can lead to increased length of hospital stay, increased cost of care, and decreased satisfaction with care. A review of a pediatric hematology, oncology, neurology, and rehabilitation unit in a hospital in the southern United States revealed an average of one to two falls monthly. This project aimed to promote evidence-based practices (EBPs) regarding fall prevention in the pediatric unit. This project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework to promote EBPs regarding pediatric fall prevention. A baseline audit was conducted to identify gaps between evidence and current practice. Barriers to EBPs were identified, strategies were implemented to promote EBPs, and a follow-up audit was conducted to measure the effectiveness of the improvement strategies. The baseline audit revealed 100% compliance with all criteria except for Criterion 1 (using a validated assessment tool), which scored 0%, and Criterion 5 (communication between nurses at shift handover), which scored 69%. In the follow-up audit, Criterion 1 remained at 0%, but Criterion 5 rose to 82%. This project identified areas of non-compliance with best practice recommendations for the prevention and assessment of pediatric fall risk. Interventions were implemented, with positive results. Further investigation is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of the interventions. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A196.

Apparent absence of Trypanosoma cruzi in Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) from Texas, USA

The Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) is one of the most abundant mammals in North America. Mexican free-tailed bats have a wide geographic range stretching from northern South America to the western United States. Bats are theorized to be the original hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi —the causative agent of Chagas disease— and can serve as a source of infection to triatomine insect vectors that feed upon them. Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease across the Americas where triatomines are present, including the southern United States, where Texas reports this highest number of locally-acquired human cases. To learn more about the role of bats in the ecology of Chagas disease in Texas, we surveyed a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats from Brazos County, Texas, for T. cruzi using carcasses salvaged after an extreme weather event. A total of 283 Mexican free-tailed bats collected in February 2021 were dissected and DNA from the hearts and kidneys was used for T. cruzi detection via qPCR. None of the bat hearts or kidneys tested positive for T. cruzi; this sample size affords 95% confidence that the true prevalence of T. cruzi in this population does not exceed 1%. Future sampling of multiple bat species as well as migrant and resident colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats across different times of the year over a broader geographic range would be useful in learning more about the role of bats in the ecology of Chagas disease in Texas.

Globalization, welfare, and inequality: Evidence from transoceanic market integration, 1815–1913

Abstract This article contributes to the growing historical literature on the ‘first globalization’ (1815–1913) and income inequality in countries that exported agricultural products. International market integration is expected to increase the demand for exports and therefore their prices. We estimate the effects of increased prices from international market integration on national welfare and income inequality between and within regions in three major exporters of agricultural products—British India, Colonial Indonesia, and the United States—using the prices of eleven key primary commodities. Market integration significantly increased aggregate welfare, but the gains were unevenly distributed. Producing regions gained up to nearly 6% of their GDP. Since the regions that made most welfare gains were also the poorest in their countries, market integration mitigated inequality between regions. Within the southern United States and Java, plantation owners obtained most gains, causing a substantial increase in inequality between persons.

Impact of surgeon volume, experience, and training on outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a nationwide analysis of 1489 surgeons

BackgroundGiven the complexity of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and increasing prevalence, there is a need for comprehensive, large-scale studies that investigate potential correlations between surgeon-specific factors and postoperative outcomes after ARCR. This study examines how surgeon-specific factors including case volume, career length, fellowship training, practice setting, and regional practice impact two-year reoperation rates, conversion to total shoulder arthroplasty (anatomic or reverse) (TSA), and 90-day post-ARCR hospitalization. MethodsThe PearlDiver Mariner Database was used to collect surgeon-specific variables and query patients who underwent ARCR from 2015 to 2018. Patient outcomes were tracked for two years, including reoperations, hospitalizations, and ICD-10 codes for revision rotator cuff repair (RCR) laterality. Hospitalizations were defined as any emergency department (ED) visit or hospital readmission within 90 days after primary ARCR. Surgeon-specific factors including surgeon case volume, career length, fellowship training, practice setting, and regional practice were analyzed in relation to postoperative outcomes using both univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results94,150 patients underwent ARCR by 1,489 surgeons. On multivariate analysis, high volume surgeons demonstrated a higher risk for two-year total reoperation (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12, P = 0.03) and revision RCR (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12, P = 0.02) compared to low volume surgeons. Early-career surgeons showed higher rates of 90-day ED visits (mid-career surgeons: OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.73-0.83, P < 0.001; late-career surgeons: OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.68-0.78, P < 0.001) and hospital readmission (mid-career surgeons: OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63-0.87, P < 0.001; late-career surgeons: OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.61-0.88, P = 0.006) compared to mid- and late-career surgeons. Sports Medicine and/or Shoulder and Elbow fellowship-trained surgeons demonstrated lower two-year reoperation risk (OR = 0.95, CI: 0.91-0.99, P = 0.04) and fewer 90-day ED visits (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88-0.98, P = 0.002). Academic surgeons experienced higher readmission rates compared to community surgeons (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01-1.34, P = 0.03). Surgeons practicing in the Northeast demonstrated lower two-year reoperation (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.83-0.93, P < 0.001) and revision (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.83-0.94, P < 0.001) rotator cuff repair risk, compared to surgeons in the Southern United States. ConclusionsHigh-volume surgeons exhibit higher two-year reoperation rates after ARCR compared to low-volume surgeons. Early-career surgeons demonstrate increased hospitalizations. Sports Medicine or Shoulder and Elbow Surgery fellowships correlate with reduced two-year reoperation rates and 90-day ED visits.

Walker’s Appeal... is the main manifesto of radical African-American abolitionism

This work is about one of the key episodes of African-American history and the history of American abolitionism associated with the publication in September 1829 in Boston of Walker’s Appeal, in Four Articles; Together with a Preamble, to the Coloured Citizens of the World. The appearance of this “revolutionary appeal” undoubtedly marked a new milestone in the development of the anti-slavery movement and the actual emergence of such a trend as radical African-American abolitionism. The reaction to the release of this document by the authorities of the Southern States can be called unprecedented in its scale and consequences. It found expression in the adoption of a number of repressive laws, which, in turn, marked the beginning of a period of prolonged reaction in the American South, which would end only after the end of the Civil War of 1861–1865. The significance of this event is difficult to overestimate. After almost two centuries, the figure of David Walker and his Appeal still arouse increased interest from Western researchers and not only. However, no serious works on this topic have been published in Russian historiography up to the present moment. This study aims to identify and examine the causes and circumstances of the writing of the Walker’s Appeal…, to analyze the main provisions of this document and the consequences caused by its dissemination. In addition, the author pays special attention to the review of the historiography of this issue. The source base is newspaper publications, letters and bills of the period under review, as well as the text of the Appeal. The methodological basis of the research consists of causal, historical-descriptive, historical-genetic, historical-typological, retrospective, and comparative-historical methods. The materialistic dialectic plays the main role, showing the development of the abolitionist movement in dynamics and the influence of related factors. The author concludes that Walker’s Appeal… became an expression of the most important trend in the development of American abolitionism at the end of the first third of the nineteenth century. The appearance of this document clearly demonstrated the radicalization of the African-American community itself and its willingness to join the struggle for the abolition of slavery and its rights.

Epidemiology of Cryptococcosis Among Patients With Commercial Health Insurance and Patients With Medicaid, United States, 2016-2022.

In 2 large health insurance claims databases, cryptococcosis prevalence was 3.4 cases per 100 000 commercially insured patients and 6.5 per 100 000 Medicaid patients. Prevalence was higher among males, non-Hispanic Black patients, and residents of the Southern United States, likely reflecting the disproportionate burden of HIV in these populations.

Holmes, Linda J. (2023). Safe in a Midwife’s Hands: Birthing Traditions from Africa to the American South

Holmes, Linda J. (2023). Safe in a Midwife’s Hands: Birthing Traditions from Africa to the American South

Ensemble Learning Approach for Developing Performance Models of Flexible Pavement

This research utilizes the Long-Term Pavement Performance database, focusing on devel-oping a predictive model for flexible pavement performance in the Southern United States. Analyzing 367 pavement sections, this study investigates crucial factors influencing asphaltic concrete (AC) pavement deterioration, such as structural and material components, air voids, compaction density, temperature at laydown, traffic load, precipitation, and freeze–thaw cycles. The objective of this study is to develop a predictive machine learning model for AC pavement wheel path cracking (WpCrAr) and the age at which cracking initiates (WpCrAr) as performance indicators. This study thoroughly investigated three ensemble machine learning models, including random forest, extremely randomized trees (ETR), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). It was observed that XGBoost, optimized using Bayesian methods, emerged as the most effective among the evaluated models, demonstrating good predictive accuracy, with an R2 of 0.79 for WpCrAr and 0.92 for AgeCrack and mean absolute errors of 1.07 and 0.74, respectively. The most important features influencing crack initiation and progression were identified, including equivalent single axle load (ESAL), pavement age, number of layers, precipitation, and freeze–thaw cycles. This paper also showed the impact of pavement material combinations for base and subgrade layers on the delay of crack initiation.

A Call for Youth Voice to Support Engagement in Care for 18- to 29-Year Olds Living with HIV in the US South.

Youth with HIV (YWH) face challenges in achieving viral suppression, particularly in the Southern United States, and welcome novel interventions responsive to community needs. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) describes factors that influence behavior change, and the Positive Youth Development (PYD) supports youth-focused program design. We applied TPB and PYD to explore factors supporting care engagement and challenges for YWH in South Texas. We conducted 14 semi-structured interviews with YWH and 7 focus groups with 26 stakeholders informed by TPB, PYD, and themes from a youth advisory board (YAB). The research team and YAB reviewed emerging themes, and feedback-aided iterative revision of interview guides and codebook. Thematic analysis compared code families by respondent type, TPB, and PYD. All study methods were reviewed by the UT Health San Antonio and University Health Institutional Review Boards. Emerging themes associated with care engagement included: varied reactions to HIV diagnosis from acceptance to fear/grief; financial, insurance, and mental health challenges; history of trauma; high self-efficacy; desire for independence; and desire for engagement with clinic staff from their age group. Stakeholders perceived YWH lifestyle, including partying and substance use, as care barriers. In contrast, YWH viewed "partying" as an unwelcome stereotype, and barriers to care included multiple jobs and family responsibilities. Two key themes captured in PYD but not in TPB were the importance of youth voice in program design and structural barriers to care (e.g., insurance, transportation). Based on these findings, we provide critical and relevant guidance for those seeking to design more effective youth-centered HIV care engagement interventions. By considering the perspectives of YWH in program design and incorporating the PYD framework, stakeholders can better align with YWHs' desire for representation and agency. Our findings provide important and relevant guidance for those seeking to design more effective HIV care engagement interventions for YWH.

Efficacy of Laurus nobilis L. for Tight Junction Protein Imbalance in Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Laurus nobilis L. (LNL) belongs to the evergreen Lauraceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean and widely distributed in the southern United States, Europe, and the Middle East. LNL is rich in active ingredients of the sesquiterpene lactone series and has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. And parthenolide, known as a sesquiterpene lactone-based compound, inhibits the activation of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), which is a major trigger for leaky gut syndrome. However, the effectiveness of LNL in improving the state of increased intestinal permeability has not yet been reported. Therefore, we demonstrated the efficacy of LNL, which is known to be rich in parthenolide, in improving intestinal permeability induced by IL-13. We investigated the improvement in permeability and analyzed major tight junction proteins (TJs), permeability-related mechanisms, weight and disease activity indices, and corresponding cytokine mechanisms. LNL maintained TJs homeostasis and clinical improvement by reducing increased claudin-2 through the inhibition of IL-13/STAT6 activation in TJ-damaged conditions. These results are expected to be effective in preventing leaky gut syndrome through the TJ balance and to further improve intestinal-related diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Registration of ‘S16‐16814R’: A glyphosate‐tolerant, high‐oleic soybean cultivar

AbstractThere is a demand for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars with more functional soybean oil for food and industrial applications. Soybean breeding programs have devoted more efforts to developing high‐yielding soybean cultivars with elevated oil content and improved fatty acid profiles. The University of Missouri – Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center soybean breeding program has developed and released the high‐oleic soybean cultivar ‘S16‐16814R’ (Reg. no. CV‐561, PI 704911). It is a maturity group 4‐late (relative maturity 4.9), glyphosate‐tolerant (Roundup Ready 1) soybean cultivar with high oleic (84.0%) acid content and a reduced linolenic (3.5%) acid content. S16‐16814R is resistant to multiple nematode species, including soybean cyst nematode races 2 (HG Type 1.2.5.7), 3 (HG Type 5.7), and 5 (HG Type 2.5.7); southern root‐knot nematode; and reniform nematode. S16‐16814R was evaluated from 2017 to 2020 in 61 environments across eight southern US states. It averaged 92% of the check mean for yield, indicating competitive yield performance across multiple environments.