State Department Research Articles

Effective population size in field pea

BackgroundEffective population size (Ne) is a pivotal parameter in population genetics as it can provide information on the rate of inbreeding and the contemporary status of genetic diversity in breeding populations. The population with smaller Ne can lead to faster inbreeding, with little potential for genetic gain making selections ineffective. The importance of Ne has become increasingly recognized in plant breeding, which can help breeders monitor and enhance the genetic variability or redesign their selection protocols. Here, we present the first Ne estimates based on linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the pea genome.ResultsWe calculated and compared Ne using SNP markers from North Dakota State University (NDSU) modern breeding lines and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) diversity panel. The extent of LD was highly variable not only between populations but also among different regions and chromosomes of the genome. Overall, NDSU had a higher and longer-range LD than the USDA that could extend up to 500 Kb, with a genome-wide average r2 of 0.57 (vs 0.34), likely due to its lower recombination rates and the selection background. The estimated Ne for the USDA was nearly three-fold higher (Ne = 174) than NDSU (Ne = 64), which can be confounded by a high degree of population structure due to the selfing nature of pea.ConclusionsOur results provided insights into the genetic diversity of the germplasm studied, which can guide plant breeders to actively monitor Ne in successive cycles of breeding to sustain viability of the breeding efforts in the long term.

Consumers' knowledge and experiences of adverse drug reaction reporting in Australia: a national survey.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among adults who had taken medicine in Australia. A structured questionnaire with multiple choice or Likert scale responses with an option for participants to provide free-text responses and pretested for face validity was used. Consumer characteristics, knowledge, and ADR reporting practices were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. A total of 544 survey responses were included in the analysis. The majority of respondents were women (68%), and 22% were aged between 65 and 74years. Fifty-eight percent (n = 317) of respondents knew that they could report ADRs to either the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), state or territory government health department, or healthcare professionals. Three-quarters (n = 405) of respondents stated that they had experienced an ADR; of these, 36% reported an ADR to either the TGA, state or territory government health department, or healthcare professionals. Among those who reported ADRs, 58% were unaware that they could use digital tools to report ADRs. The main reason for not reporting was that they did not think the ADR was serious enough to report (39%). Over half of consumers knew that they could report ADR; however, improved consumer awareness about using digital tools for ADR reporting and increased ADR reporting is needed.

A Study Examining the Impact of County-Level Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Political Affiliation Characteristics on COVID-19 Vaccination Patterns in Indiana

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign resulted in uneven vaccine uptake throughout the United States, particularly in rural areas, areas with socially and economically disadvantaged groups, and populations that exhibited vaccine hesitancy behaviors. This study examines how county-level sociodemographic and political affiliation characteristics differentially affected patterns of COVID-19 vaccinations in the state of Indiana every month in 2021. We linked county-level demographics from the 2016–2020 American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates and the Indiana Elections Results Database with county-level COVID-19 vaccination counts from the Indiana State Department of Health. We then created twelve monthly linear regression models to assess which variables were consistently being selected, based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and adjusted R-squared values. The vaccination models showed a positive association with proportions of Bachelor’s degree-holding residents, of 40–59 year-old residents, proportions of Democratic-voting residents, and a negative association with uninsured and unemployed residents, persons living below the poverty line, residents without access to the Internet, and persons of Other Race. Overall, after April, the variables selected were consistent, with the model’s high adjusted R2 values for COVID-19 cumulative vaccinations demonstrating that the county sociodemographic and political affiliation characteristics can explain most of the variation in vaccinations. Linking county-level sociodemographic and political affiliation characteristics with Indiana’s COVID-19 vaccinations revealed inherent inequalities in vaccine coverage among different sociodemographic groups. Increased vaccine uptake could be improved in the future through targeted messaging, which provides culturally relevant advertising campaigns for groups less likely to receive a vaccine, and increasing access to vaccines for rural, under-resourced, and underserved populations.

A Study Examining the Impact of County-Level Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Political Affiliation Characteristics on COVID-19 Vaccination Patterns in Indiana

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign resulted in uneven vaccine uptake throughout the United States, particularly in rural areas, areas with socially and economically disadvantaged groups, and populations that exhibited vaccine hesitancy behaviors. This study examines how county-level sociodemographic and political affiliation characteristics differentially affected patterns of COVID-19 vaccinations in the state of Indiana every month in 2021. We linked county-level demographics from the 2016–2020 American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates and the Indiana Elections Results Database with county-level COVID-19 vaccination counts from the Indiana State Department of Health. We then created twelve monthly linear regression models to assess which variables were consistently being selected, based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and adjusted R-squared values. The vaccination models showed a positive association with proportions of Bachelor’s degree-holding residents, of 40–59 year-old residents, proportions of Democratic-voting residents, and a negative association with uninsured and unemployed residents, persons living below the poverty line, residents without access to the Internet, and persons of Other Race. Overall, after April, the variables selected were consistent, with the model’s high adjusted R2 values for COVID-19 cumulative vaccinations demonstrating that the county sociodemographic and political affiliation characteristics can explain most of the variation in vaccinations. Linking county-level sociodemographic and political affiliation characteristics with Indiana’s COVID-19 vaccinations revealed inherent inequalities in vaccine coverage among different sociodemographic groups. Increased vaccine uptake could be improved in the future through targeted messaging, which provides culturally relevant advertising campaigns for groups less likely to receive a vaccine, and increasing access to vaccines for rural, under-resourced, and underserved populations.

The Influence of Employee Commitment on the Performance of State Departments in Kenya

The Public Service in Kenya is encountering numerous problems that demand attention to achieve its maximum capability of delivering high-quality services to citizens. The study is to assess the influence of employee commitment on performance of state departments in Kenya. Data obtained was then analysed through descriptive statistics, frequencies and correlational analysis, that the correlation between variables organisational commitment and organisational performance is strong and significant (r = 0.610, p < 0.01), indicating a positive relationship and the findings then presented through tables, bar charts, and histograms. Research limitations are constraints of time and difficulty in gathering information from state department officers. The results revealed that employee commitment improves productivity, service delivery, cost efficiency, and a positive work environment in state departments. Thus, the state departments should implement are to Strengthen Leadership and Management, Employee Engagement, Improve Working Conditions, Promote Employee Well-being, and Implement Fair Policies and Practices.

Harvesting insect pests for animal feed: potential to capture an unexploited resource.

The demand for animal protein grows as the human population increases. Technological and genetic advances in traditional animal agriculture will not produce enough protein to meet future needs without significant innovations such as the use of insects as protein sources. Insect farming is growing insects, whereas insect harvesting is collecting insects from their natural habitats to produce high-quality protein for animal feed or human food. Intensive agricultural environments produce tremendous quantities of pestiferous insects and with the right harvest technologies these insects can be used as a protein supplement in traditional animal daily rations. An avenue to exploit these insects is to use traps such as the United States Department of Agriculture-Biomass Harvest Trap (USDA-BHT) to efficiently attract, harvest, and store insects from naturally abundant agricultural settings. The modular design allows for a low cost, easy to build and fix device that is user friendly and has customizable attractants to target various pest species. Although insect harvesting faces substantial challenges, including insect biomass quantity, seasonal abundance and preservation, food safety, and economic and nutritional evaluation, the potential for utilizing these pests for protein shows tremendous promise. In this forum, insect harvesting is discussed, including its potential, limitations, challenges, and research needs. In addition, the use of a mass trapping device is discussed as a tool to increase the biomass of insects collected from the environment.

Conceptualization, design, and construction of a novel insect mass trapping device: the USDA Biomass Harvest Trap (USDA-BHT).

The use of insects as animal feed has the potential to be a green revolution for animal agriculture as insects are a rich source of high-quality protein. Insect farming must overcome challenges such as product affordability and scalability before it can be widely incorporated as animal feed. An alternative is to harvest insect pests from the environment using mass trapping devices and use them as animal feed. For example, intensive agricultural environments generate large quantities of pestiferous insects and with the right harvest technologies, these insects can be used as a protein supplement in traditional animal daily rations. Most insect trapping devices are limited by the biomass they can collect. In that context, and with the goal of using wild collected insects as animal feed, the United States Department of Agriculture-Biomass Harvest Trap (USDA-BHT) was designed and built. The USDA-BHT is a valuable mass trapping device developed to efficiently attract, harvest, and store flying insects from naturally abundant agricultural settings. The trap offers a modular design with adjustable capabilities, and it is an inexpensive device that can easily be built with commonly available parts and tools. The USDA-BHT is also user-friendly and has customizable attractants to target various pest species.

Field Validation as a Means for Continual Monitoring of Approved Test Kit’s Fitness for Purpose in the Commercial Market

Testing accuracy of a chemical contaminant requires use of a testing platform that conforms to validation criteria outlined in quality literature and standards. This study explores the application of commercial field data measured by qualified analysts using a United States Department of Agriculture – Federal Grain Inspection Service approved kit for measuring fumonisin in maize to augment method validation procedures. Analysts from seven grain testing facilities were qualified in official USDA sampling, sample preparation, and testing methodology using the Charm LF-FUMQ-WETS5. A duplicate sample was tested in the Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) laboratory using UPLC-MS-MS. Data were subject to four statistical techniques using continuous and categorical methodology. This approach enabled researchers to explore if a single test or multiple comparisons were best suited to assess a field kit’s fitness for purpose across facility, toxin level, and year. The study concluded that a paired t-test and correlation analysis provided a quick and meaningful evaluation of kit performance. The correct placement of samples within the correct bin (violative versus non-violative) aligns well with market forces and regulatory compliance. The results of this study also provide a useful tool to assess all field kits’ performance at the beginning of the harvest season and subsequent years. The combination of statistical techniques presented in this research is an important tool in assessing mycotoxin field test kits fitness for purpose and represents a key step in a continuous improvement-quality systems process meant to protect the feed and food supply.

Potassium Food Additives and Dietary Management of Serum Potassium: Proposed Best-Practice Recommendations

The contribution of potassium food additives to total dietary potassium intake is unknown. This poses challenges for individuals living with kidney disease who may need to monitor their potassium intake. Additionally, different countries have varying regulations regarding the reporting of dietary potassium content in foods. This article examines the potential of published food databases in assisting clinicians to help individuals with kidney disease manage their serum potassium levels. It uses the United States Department of Agriculture's Branded Food Products Database as an example. Evidence for potassium additive content in database entries, along with their bioavailability, is discussed, and best-practice recommendations are made based on current evidence. Clinical practice and future research priorities are suggested.

METODOLOGI HUKUM ISLAM MENURUT ALIRAN DEOBANDI DI MALAYSIA Islamic Jurisprudence Methodology: An Analysis of Deobandi School in Malaysia

The significant influence of Deobandi scholars, known for their expertise in Hadith and the Quran, raises the question of what legal methodology is adhered to by the scholars of this school. A comprehensive legal methodology typically consists of uṣūl al-fiqh, qawā’id al-fiqhiyyah and maqāṣid al-syāri’ah. Today, the community has witnessed the rejection by some of these scholars by some of these scholars towards local practices such as maulīd ar-rasūl, tahlil and so on. This study has several importance implications, serving as a reference for future researchers, JAKIM, the State Department of Islamic Religion, and graduates of the Deobandi school itself. This study took the form of a qualitative study and involved interviews with nine Deobandi respondents. The results indicate that the Deobandi school does not employ a complete legal methodology, and there is inconsistency among the respondents when applying the legal methodology in the absence of the Qur'an and Hadith. These suggests that, maqāṣid al-syāri’ah is largely overlooked by the majority of the respondents.

A study about the education of mathematics teachers in public schools in the region of Formiga (MG)

The education of mathematics teachers who teach in public schools in the region of Formiga (MG) was investigated, together with the perception of a group of teachers regarding the need for specific training. Data from the State Department of Education were used, and a questionnaire was developed and administered to participating professionals. The demand for teachers in the region has grown more than the number of teachers working since 2014. The average number of professionals licensed in the subject has been higher than the national average for elementary education but lower than the average for high school. Finally, teachers consider knowledge and specific training in mathematics essential for working in basic education and adapting content to official curricula and for the quality of the teaching and learning process.

Exploring Health Research Priority Setting in a South African Province: A Nominal Group Technique Approach

In August 2022, the Free State Provincial Health Research Committee used the online nominal group technique (NGT) for Health Research Priority Setting (HRPS) for the Free State Department of Health (FSDoH) and the research community, considering various stakeholders’ perspectives. This paper explores and describes the identified health research priorities. It also assesses their alignment with the National Health Research Strategy. Additionally, it provides an opinion on the feasibility of using the online NGT for collaborative co-creation of provincial-level health research priorities. Most of the identified health research priorities resonate with the national health research priorities identified by the National Health Research Committee. However, research to “strengthen surveillance” was uniquely perceived to be a priority by the participants in the Free State HRPS exercise. A plausible reason for this might be their heightened awareness of the vital role optimal surveillance systems play in coordinating intersectoral responses to pandemics, particularly considering the serious challenges emerging during the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.

A study about the education of mathematics teachers in public schools in the region of Formiga (MG)

The education of mathematics teachers who teach in public schools in the region of Formiga (MG) was investigated, together with the perception of a group of teachers regarding the need for specific training. Data from the State Department of Education were used, and a questionnaire was developed and administered to participating professionals. The demand for teachers in the region has grown more than the number of teachers working since 2014. The average number of professionals licensed in the subject has been higher than the national average for elementary education but lower than the average for high school. Finally, teachers consider knowledge and specific training in mathematics essential for working in basic education and adapting content to official curricula and for the quality of the teaching and learning process.

Dietary Patterns among Smokers and Non-Smokers: Findings from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018.

Diet behavior and nutrition are critical for maintaining health and improving quality of life. Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Poor dietary choices, such as excessively frequenting restaurants, consuming ready-to-eat foods from grocery stores, and ingesting ultra-processed foods (like frozen meals and pizzas), can adversely impact health. Despite this, research comparing dietary behaviors between smokers and non-smokers is limited. Using data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2017-2018, we analyzed diet behavior based on smoking status. Our findings reveal that smokers had a significant increase (90%) in the frequency of consuming frozen meals/pizzas in the past 30 days compared to non-smokers (coefficient: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4, 2.6; p-value < 0.001). Additionally, over 70% of participants, regardless of their smoking status, were unaware of MyPlate, a nutritional guide created by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage Americans to make healthier food choices. There is an urgent need to increase public awareness of MyPlate and promote a better understanding of healthy dietary behaviors.

Terrorism and War Crimes: Two Sides of The Same Coin?

The definition of terrorism is not consensual, even within the same country. Indeed, in the United States of America, a country where the fight against terrorism is one of the present political priorities, the definition varies depending on whether the source is the Department of Defense (DoD), the US Code, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Department of State, but this lack of consensus does not mean that terrorism is not considered a crime according to the Resolution 49/6026 of 17 February 1995 of the United Nations General Assembly. However, many experts on the thematic do not accept the definition of terrorism as an international crime in time of peace defending that terrorism is essentially the violation of domestic laws which have their genesis in treaties to which states may or may not adhere, and this explains why some countries refuse to reduce their sovereignty and do not accept to transfer the jurisdiction for crimes of international terrorism to supranational institutions. According to this vision, terrorism must be included as a subtype in one of the four modalities that are already recognized by international law. This article reflects on the relationship between terrorism and the modalities of war crimes judged by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and seeks to show that the seriousness of the terrorist threat justifies that terrorism should be considered an autonomous international crime.

Access to PrEP and other sexual health services for cisgender women in the United States: a review of state policy and Medicaid expansion.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to prevent new HIV infections, but it is unclear how state policies governing sexual and reproductive health services (SRH) impact access for cisgender women. The objective of this review is to identify barriers to PrEP access for cisgender women in the United States. Using the CDC Atlas Program, 20 states with the highest HIV incidence among cisgender women were included in this analysis. Through a search conducted in May-July 2022 of CDC, PrEPWatch.org, and other State Department and Insurance websites, Medicaid expansion status, pharmacist PrEP prescribing laws, financial support programs, and Traditional Medicaid coverage of PrEP, HIV testing, and emergency contraception were reviewed. Of the included states, nearly half did not expand Medicaid at the state level. Emergency contraception and HIV testing was covered under Traditional Medicaid for almost all included states, but insurance stipulations and eligibility requirements remain. Although PrEP is covered under all Traditional Medicaid plans, six states require pre-authorization. Three states have HIV testing mandates, four allow pharmacists to prescribe PrEP and six have financial support programs to cover the cost of PrEP. Medicaid expansion, pre-authorization requirements for PrEP prescriptions and emergency contraception, and limitations on pharmacist prescribing abilities were identified as barriers to SRH access for cisgender women. Medicaid expansion should be prioritized as an approach to expanding access to HIV prevention services at the state level.

TRAINING NEED ASSESSMENT OF AGRI-INPUT DEALERS

In India, research and extension are two crucial components of agricultural growth. To achieve continuous expansion in agriculture, an effective extension system can quickly disseminate farm technology throughout farming communities. Agricultural input dealers play a significant role in the production and sale of agricultural products in addition to the extension services provided to farmers by the state Department of Agriculture and other organizations. Due to their easy accessibility in rural regions, they build a solid connection and help to enhance the agricultural extension system by offering the farming community useful services in a way that disseminates technology. Therefore, it is crucial that they take refresher training courses to provide themselves with the most recent agricultural expertise and information. Hence keeping this in mind, the present investigation was conducted in Jorhat, Golaghat, Morigaon and Udalguri districts of Assam during 2021-22 to ascertain training needs of agro-input dealers. A total 120 numbers of Agri-input dealers were selected as respondents by proportionate allocation method from each of the four districts. Data were collected by using pretested structured interview schedule. The needs assessment were done in the training areas viz., manures and fertilizers , pesticides, seeds, farm machineries, computer application and record keeping with three point continuum of 'much needed', 'needed' and 'not needed' having the value of 3,2 and 1 respectively. The data were analyzed with the help of proper statistical techniques and it was revealed that 96.66 percent of the respondents require training on integrated nutrient management practices, 70 percent have much need for pest protection of stored seeds, training on certification techniques of seeds (76.66 %), latest farm implements and machinery (78.06 %) and 75.97 percent have much need for training on record keeping software. A few characteristics of the dealers like age, experience in dealership, input supply and annual income have significantly negative relationship with their training needs.

Trading with Frenemies: How Economic Diplomacy Affects Exports

Abstracts Trade is inherently risky, involving a commitment problem for both importers and exporters. The former must deal with ex ante uncertainty about whether exporters will deliver the goods or services as promised, while the latter has to identify an importer willing to trade a product. How, then, do firms establish trading relationships, especially in new markets? While both classical and newer trade theories tend to downplay the role of government in trade, we argue that government institutions play a crucial role in resolving this uncertainty. Specifically, export promotion agencies and embassies in foreign countries vet potential trade contacts and head off potential disputes before they get too serious, thus insuring against the basic risks of trade. We expect that this institutional backing will have stronger export-promoting effects on great powers’ trade with economically developing and politically dissimilar countries. Using a large collection of U.S. State Department cables from the 1970s that concern export promotion, we find strong evidence that promotion efforts had the largest effect when economic trade barriers were high and in countries that were politically dissimilar to the U.S. Rather than passively participating in trade, government bureaucrats play a large role in helping firms establish trading relationships.

Before You Tie the Knot: Impacts, Outcomes, and Lessons Learned from a Federally-Funded Premarital Education Case Study

Human services educators continually seek ways to make outreach programming more engaging and effective. This study evaluated an ongoing relationship education program funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (Administration of Children and Families) to determine the effectiveness of the Before You Tie the Knot (BYTK) premarital education program. A self-reported, quantitative, retrospective-pretest-then-post-test evaluation was utilized to assess key objectives in the sample (n = 1285). Clearly- evident effect sizes were found for perceived behavior changes in the participants’ implementation of skills related to relationship quality (i.e., positive interaction, negative interaction, positive bonds, happiness/satisfaction, commitment, and not feeling trapped) covered in the training over a five-week period. Implications for how the BYTK program can facilitate change and learning in educational settings, as well as inform relationship education outreach programming, are discussed.

Food Insecurity and Community-Based Food Resources Among Caregivers of Hospitalized Children.

Children's hospitals are implementing interventions to connect families to community-based resources. This study describes food insecurity (FI) and food resource knowledge, need, and use among families with a hospitalized child. Between November 2020 and June 2022, 637 caregivers of hospitalized children in an urban 42-ZIP-code area were surveyed as part of a randomized controlled trial. The United States Department of Agriculture 18-item Household Food Security Survey was used to evaluate 12-month food security (food secure [score of 0=FS]; marginally secure [1-2=MFS]; insecure [3-18=FI]). Food resource knowledge, need, and use were described by food security status and examined using Cochran-Armitage tests. The distribution of local resources was obtained from a database and mapped by ZIP code. Comparing FI (35.0%) with MFS (17.6%) and FS (47.4%) groups, the rates of resource knowledge were lower (70.2% vs 78.5%, 80.5%), and the rates of need (55.1% vs 30.6%, 14.2%) and use (55.3% vs 51.4%, 40.8%) were higher. Rates of food resource knowledge increased linearly with increasing food security (FI to MFS to FS; P = .008), whereas the rates of resource need (P < .001) and use (P = .001) decreased with increasing food security. There were 311 community-based organizations across 36 ZIP codes with participants (range/ZIP code = 0-20, median = 8). Half of families with a hospitalized child experienced FI or MFS. Although families exhibited high food resource knowledge, nearly half of families with FI had unmet food needs or had never used resources.