Top Sources Research Articles

Economic and operational investigation of CO2 sequestration through enhanced oil recovery in unconventional reservoirs in Colorado, USA

The ongoing CCUS commercial projects are highly relied on the support of government incentives due to massive capital investment. This study analyzes the economics of carbon capture utilization and sequestration (CCUS) projects, shows a state-wide CCUS deployment exercise, followed by simulation results of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) based CO2 storage in unconventional reservoirs. The comprehensive economic analysis of capture, transportation, sequestration costs, enhanced 45Q tax credits, and EOR revenue implies the practicality of CO2-EOR to offset the high CCUS costs. With the economics understanding, we study the top CO2 sources, existing CO2 pipelines, and sequestration sinks in the state of Colorado, USA. This paper next presents results from EOR simulation in one section of the unconventional Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin Niobrara and Codell reservoirs. The simulation model is based on a geological static model, incorporated with hydraulic fracture stimulation, history matched to production, and calibrated to the microseismic and time-lapse surface seismic data. The CO2-EOR simulation results show that oil production can be increased and more CO2 stored with: a longer primary production period; the presence of a shut-in period; higher injection rates; and multi-well injectors. The modeling results show that about 7–10 Mscf of CO2 will be stored when recovering 1 stb of EOR oil. By adding the enhanced oil revenue and the carbon credits together, it is estimated that the most economic case can generate $13 MM when oil price is assumed to be $80/stb, and the EOR oil revenue is 3.4 times greater than that generated from 45Q incentives. It corresponds to the scenario that a five-year primary production is followed by CO2 injection into four wells with the sequence of injection (4 MMscf/day for 6 months), shut-in (6 months) and production (12 months). The best practices in this study will provide valuable insights for similar CCUS projects in other unconventional fields. Furthermore, this study defines a term named “Carbon Neutrality Index (CNI)” by comparing the amount of CO2 stored with that burned by EOR oil. The CNI value of 0 indicates the enhanced oil is carbon neutral; a negative CNI value implies there is a net reduction in carbon emission. The 4-year huff-n-puff (HnP) simulation leads to a positive CNI value, indicating that the EOR oil generated in this process is not carbon neutral yet.

Ферментативный гидролиз соевого белка

Soy continues to be one of the top sources of vegetable protein. Structurally modified soy proteins and processed products are used as part of functional foods. Enzymatic hydrolysates of food proteins have different degrees of hydrolysis and functional profiles, hence the constant search for the optimal hydrolysis parameters. The present research objective was to design a two-stage enzymatic conversion process of soy protein using mathematical methods, as well as to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the hydrolysate in laboratory conditions.
 Soy protein isolate was tested to define the maximal value of the hydrolysis degree. It underwent a series of two-factor experiments in the presence of pepsin and trypsin. The study focused on the hydrolysis time and the enzyme-substrate ratio. The results were optimized using the response surface methodology in MathCad 15. The total antioxidant activity of the hydrolysate during hydrolysis was determined on a Tsvet-Yauza-01-AA chromatograph using the amperometric method.
 For the pepsin test, the processing time was 7 h and the enzyme-to-substrate ratio was 1:22. For the trypsin test, the time was 7 h and the ratio was 1:30. The mathematical modeling revealed the following optimal parameters. The first stage involved hydrolysis with pepsin for 5 h at an enzyme-to-substrate ratio of 1:20; the second stage involved hydrolysis with trypsin for 3 h at an enzyme-to-substrate ratio of 1:19. The resulting hydrolysate demonstrated 88% hydrolysis. The highest summary antioxidant activity was registered after 5 h of hydrolysis and amounted to about 250 mg/100 mL.
 The resulting enzymatic hydrolysate of soy protein can be used as a food component or an antioxidant feed additive. The obtained peptides can immobilize essential microelements, e.g., Zn, I, and Se, as well as produce polyvalent complexes. Further studies will be aimed at the residual antigenicity of the hydrolysate and other functional indicators.

Forced Organ Harvesting

Forced Organ Harvesting

Trends in media consumption in Ukraine in the wartime

The aim of the article is investigating and analysing current trends in changes and development of media consumption caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine, identifying its main problematic aspects and prospects. Analyses results. The article is underlining the basic trends of media consumption in Ukraine during the war and compares them with the pre-war period, i.e., the way in which people interact with different forms of media, such as television, the Internet, print publications and radio. Understanding these trends is important for media companies, advertisers, and policymakers, as it can help to fulfil decisions about content creation and distribution, as well as advertising strategies. Recent years have seen a shift in media consumption habits, with more and more people turning to digital platforms for news and entertainment. The emergence of streaming services, social networks and mobile devices has significantly affected traditional media consumption models. This has led to the decline of traditional forms of media such as newspapers and television and the rise of online news sources and video streaming platforms. In Ukraine, television is the most popular form of media. According to polls, in 2020, more than 80% of the population watches TV every day. The Internet is also becoming increasingly popular, with over 60% of the population using it regularly. The use of print media, such as newspapers and magazines, is declining. It is worth noting that media consumption habits may vary by region, age, and other factors, so the data may not be representative of all groups in Ukraine. Ukraine is witnessing an increase in Internet consumption and the use of social media. Online television and video services, as well as messengers and mobile applications, are also popular. Local information resources and media are also widely favored in Ukraine. In the future, audience measurement will increasingly move towards a more holistic model in line with the fragmented and growing system of audiovisual components, technologies and services that work together to create audiovisual experiences for users. The main purpose of using all types of information sources is to receive news about the situation in Ukraine. Thus, from 72 to 82% indicated this purpose for the top sources. Conventionally (because they are intertwined with other content and news), international news is in second place (47% overall), and local news (from their city or village - 35% overall) is in third place. Only in 15.5% of cases, the respondents' goal was to be entertained or distracted. However, the war has resulted in restrictions on the free flow of information, primarily through hostile and false web resources, telegram and other channels, censorship and propaganda. This means that people have limited access to diverse and independent news sources, which affects the quality and reliability of the information they receive. To some extent, this protects against the negative informational impact of unacceptable realistic information. In addition, in times of war, the government restricts access to certain hostile types of media, such as social media, to control the narrative and prevent the spread of information that could be harmful to national interests. Conclusions and directions for further research. War has a significant impact on media consumption, both in terms of the content consumed and the way it is consumed. During the war, Ukrainians increasingly turn to news sources for information about the situation at the front and the course of events. This leads to an increase in media consumption related to news content and channels such as television news programs, news websites and radio news broadcasts, social media (Telegram channels, YouTube channels, etc.). Also, in the areas where the fighting is ongoing, people have limited access to any form of media due to the lack of infrastructure, security and displacement issues. In general, the war has had a very significant impact on media consumption, both in terms of the content consumed and the way it is consumed, and has led to restrictions on access to diverse and independent news sources, censorship, and propaganda. The change in content and consumption vector has led to changes in preferences and consumer preferences. Therefore, it is important to further observe and study media consumption trends.

Free sugar intake from snacks and beverages in Canadian preschool- and toddler-aged children: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundExcess consumption of free sugar (FS) increases the risk of dental caries and unhealthy weight gain. However, the contribution of snacks and beverages to young children’s FS intake is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine FS intake from snacks and beverages among preschool-aged Canadian children.MethodsThis cross-sectional study examined baseline data from 267 children 1.5 to 5 y enrolled in the Guelph Family Health Study. Dietary assessment was completed over a 24-h period using ASA24-Canada-2016 to, 1) estimate the proportion of children whose FS intake from snacks and beverages consumed exceeded 5% total energy intake (TE) and 10% TE, and 2) identify the top snack and beverage sources of FS.ResultsFS contributed 10.6 ± 6.9% TE (mean ± SD). 30 and 8% of children consumed ≥ 5% TE and ≥ 10% TE from snack FS, respectively. Furthermore, 17 and 7% of children consumed ≥ 5% TE and ≥ 10% TE from beverages FS, respectively. Snacks and beverages accounted for 49 ± 30.9% of FS energy. Top snack sources of FS (% children, children’s %TE from FS) were bakery products (55%, 2.4%), candy and sweet condiments (21%, 3.0%), and sugar-containing beverages (20%, 4.1%). Top sugar-containing beverage sources of FS (48%, 5.3%) were 100% fruit juice (22%, 4.6%) and flavored milk (11%, 3.1%).ConclusionsSnacks and beverages contributed nearly half of FS intake among a sample of young children in Canada. Thus, long-term monitoring of snacking behavior and consumption of FS is warranted. These findings may help inform nutritional strategies and public policies to improve diet quality and FS intake in preschool-aged children.Trial registrationThe Clinical Trial Registry number is NCT02939261 from clinicaltrials.gov. Date of Registration: October 20, 2016.

Persuading the "Movable Middle": Characteristics of effective messages to promote routine and COVID-19 vaccinations for adults and children - The impact of COVID-19 on beliefs and attitudes.

We sought to 1) explore trusted sources for vaccine information, 2) describe persuasive characteristics of trusted messages promoting routine and COVID-19 vaccines for children and adults and 3) explore how the pandemic has impacted attitudes and beliefs about routine vaccinations. We conducted a mixed method cross-sectional study between May 3-June 14, 2021 including a survey and six focus groups among a sub-set of survey respondents. A total of 1,553 survey respondents (from which n=33 participated in the focus groups) including adults without children under age nineteen years (n=582) and parents with children under age nineteen years (n=971). Primary care providers, family, and credible sources, characterized as known and well-established entities, were top sources of vaccine information. Neutrality, honesty, and having a trusted source to rely on in sorting through volumes of sometimes conflicting information were highly valued. Trustworthy qualities about sources included: 1) expertise, 2) fact-based, 3) unbiased, and 4) having an established process for sharing information. Because of the evolving nature of the pandemic, attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19 vaccine and sources of COVID-19 information differed from typical views about routine vaccines. Of 1,327 (85.4%) survey respondents, 12.7% and 9.4% of adults and parents cited that the pandemic impacted their attitudes and beliefs. Among these respondents, 8% of adults and 3% of parents cited more favorable attitudes and beliefs about getting vaccinated with routine vaccines because of the pandemic. Vaccine attitudes and beliefs which inform intent to vaccinate can change and differ among different vaccines. Messaging should be tailored to resonate with parents and adults to improve vaccine uptake.

Abstract P521: Association Between Dietary Phytosterols and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in US Adults: Findings From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988-1994

Introduction: Phytosterols (plant sterols) are naturally occurring components of plant food sources, including vegetable oils, nuts, cereals and legumes. Their chemical structure impedes intestinal cholesterol absorption and regular consumption has been related to lower serum low-density cholesterol (LDL-C), a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The association between dietary plant sterol intake and CVD has yet to be determined. Objective: We aimed to examine the association of phytosterol consumption in the diet with cardiovascular mortality in US adults the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III), 1988-1994. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort analysis on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1988-1994 [III]), linked with the National Death Index mortality data (2015) to associate dietary phytosterol intake from 24h dietary recall data with CVD mortality. We included 13,004 adults aged ≥20 years who were non-pregnant, free of CVD at baseline and completed ≥1 24h dietary recall with plausible caloric intake data. We excluded individuals with death occurring within 1 year of baseline. We created a database quantifying the phytosterol content of foods in the 24h dietary recall data and estimated usual intake by quintiles using the NCI method. We determined the risk function by regression calibration and estimated CVD mortality risk between the 10 th (Q1) and 90 th (Q5) percentiles of usual intake. Data was adjusted for sex, age, smoking status and ethnicity. Results: Over a mean±SD follow-up period of 21.2±5.1y, 949 CVD deaths occurred in a population with a mean±SD age of 44.2±14.3y, BMI 26.7±4.7 kg/m 2 and mean dietary plant sterol usual intake of 272.3 mg/day. The top sources of dietary phytosterols were from potatoes 23%), wheat and other grains (21%) and beans, legumes and nuts (13%). Mean usual intake plant intake in the 10 th (Q1) and 90 th (Q5) percentiles of the population was 150.1 and 414.0 mg/day. The estimated relative risk for CVD mortality between Q1 (ref) and Q5 was 0.972 (p<0.05). Conclusions: Preliminary analyses suggest a CVD death risk reduction of 2.8% in the highest versus lowest intakes of dietary plant sterols in the US population. We plan to expand the multivariable model to include the Healthy Eating Index (diet quality) and assess stratification by healthful and unhealthful sources of phytosterols and linear and non-linear dose response analyses to determine the robustness of the association. OSF Registration: osf.io/da4sg Funding: Amgen Scholars Program, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Banting and Best Diabetes Centre (BBDC), Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials foundation

Self-Injury in the News: A Content Analysis

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has garnered increasing academic and media attention in society. While more awareness of NSSI is welcomed, inappropriate reporting of NSSI in media could heighten the potential for stigmatization and misunderstanding of NSSI and people who engage in it. Further, certain kinds of content (e.g., graphic imagery) may be harmful to people who self-injure (e.g., provoking urges to self-injure). These concerns notwithstanding, little research has focused on how NSSI has been portrayed in news media. Such knowledge would therefore represent a first step toward illuminating the nature of media depictions of NSSI and highlight potential areas to circumvent any concerns. Using content analysis, we explored how NSSI was portrayed in 568 online news articles about NSSI, published between 2007 and 2018, from top news sources in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Codes were developed based on prior research investigating online NSSI content, and the available existing and proposed media guidelines for the reporting of NSSI at the time of the study. While the overall tone of the examined articles was often neutral, areas of concern included: most articles detailing specific NSSI methods, the frequent inclusion of negative imagery, an absence of clear communication about what NSSI is and why people self-injure, the use of sensationalist and stigmatizing language, and a lack of helpful resources. These preliminary findings suggest the utility of a set of newly developed media guidelines on the reporting of NSSI as one component in an effort to address the stigmatization and misunderstanding of NSSI and individuals who self-injure.

Grassland Ecosystem Progress: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis Based on Research Publication over the Last Three Decades

Understanding the grassland ecosystem is crucial for improving grassland ecosystem functions and services such as climate regulation, water and soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity and gene pool maintenance. However, a systematic and comprehensive review of the relevant literature is still unclear and lacking. The VOSviewer software and cluster analysis were used to visually analyze and perform dimension reduction classification on the 27,778 studies related to grassland ecosystem research based on the Web of Science database. The number of publications targeting grassland ecosystem increased rapidly from 2006 to 2021. Ecology, agronomy, and environmental science were the most popular research categories, and the top journal sources were Remote Sensing, Journal of Ecology, and Ecology and Evolution. The leading publishing countries were the United States, China, and Germany. The top three institutions were the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Colorado State University. Cooperation between different countries and institutions had increased. Keyword co-occurrence network analysis showed that Biodiversity, Vegetation and Conservation were the most popular study areas, grassland management, climate change, land use pattern, and ecosystem impact were the hot research topics. All studies could be divided into three categories by cluster analysis: grassland ecological characteristics including basic physicochemical properties, vegetation community characteristics, aboveground and belowground biomass, and soil structural quality of grassland; driving mechanisms that demonstrated effects of human activities and climate change on grassland ecosystem function; and grassland ecosystem services that focused the influences of different grassland management strategies on ecological services, animal welfare and human well-being. The three topic categories of reviewed studies were interrelated and consistent with each other, and the performances were progressive. This paper reviewed the trend evolution through keyword hotspots and analyzed the future research directions to provide an important reference for scientists to better respond to the balance of herbage and sustainable utilization of grassland and maintenance of ecological security.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among New Jersey Teachers and Impacts of Vaccination Information Dissemination.

Vaccine hesitancy continues to be prevalent in the United States, especially in relation to the COVID-19 vaccines and its boosters, which have been made increasingly available for public use as the pandemic has progressed. There continues to be concern surrounding the safety and health of secondary or high school education professionals as they transition back to in-person learning and working opportunities. The present study highlights how information dissemination regarding the COVID-19 vaccine has varied among New Jersey secondary or high school teachers throughout the pandemic. The survey was completed online through the PsychData platform by 269 participants between March and July 2022. Participants received the opportunity to complete the survey via email. Afterwards, data were exported and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SAS 9.4 Analytics Software and stratified by various clinical and demographic-based variables. While trusted agencies and media outlets identified by participants varied, most participants identified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (65.4%), primary care providers (37.5%), and state health departments (28.6%) as their top trusted sources for information related to COVID-19 vaccines. Overall, COVID-19 vaccination advocacy and educational efforts should continue across the state of New Jersey and elsewhere, especially as more variants emerge and boosters become available.

Top Sodium Food Sources in the American Diet—Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Reducing population-level sodium intake can reduce hypertension, an important preventative strategy to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death in the United States. Considering that most dietary sodium is derived from prepackaged foods, this study quantitatively estimates the proportion contribution and mean sodium intake from key food category contributors to total sodium intake in the US population. Data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which collected interviewer-administered 24 h dietary recalls from Americans (n = 7081), were analyzed. Based on the average proportion contributed, the top 15 sources of sodium were identified overall and by age/sex, poverty-income and race/ethnicity. More than 50% of US population-level dietary sodium intake was contributed by: pizza (5.3%); breads, rolls and buns (4.7%); cold cuts and cured meats (4.6%); soups (4.4%); burritos and tacos (4.3%); savoury snacks (4.1%); poultry (4.0%); cheese (3.1%); pasta mixed dishes (2.9%); burgers (2.5%); meat mixed dishes (2.5%); cookies, brownies and cakes (2.4%); bacon, frankfurters and sausages (2.4%); vegetables (2.2%); and chicken nuggets (1.5%), with the results remaining consistent among population subgroups. The results identified the top sources of sodium in the American population overall, as well as in key population subgroups, which can inform policies and programs aimed at reducing sodium intake.

Children and Adolescents in the United States with Usual High Added Sugars Intake: Characteristics, Eating Occasions, and Top Sources, 2015-2018.

Background: High consumption of added sugars is related to adverse health consequences. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine characteristics of US youth who report high intakes of added sugars, as well as the eating occasions and top sources of added sugars that contributed to intakes among consumers with high added sugars intake. Design and participants/setting: We conducted a cross-sectional study using 2015−2018 NHANES data among 5280 US youths (2−19 years). Main outcome measures: Outcome measure was usual percent of calories from added sugars using 2 days of dietary recall based on the National Cancer Institute method. High consumers were defined as consuming greater than 15% of total daily calorie intake from added sugars (1.5 times higher than the 2020−2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation of <10% of total daily calorie intake). Explanatory measures were selected sociodemographics (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity). Eating occasions were breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack. Statistical analyses performed: We used t-tests to compare mean differences between sociodemographic groups. Results: Overall, 34% of US youths were classified as high consumers of added sugars. The prevalence of high consumers of added sugars significantly varied by some sociodemographics (i.e., age, race/ethnicity, and head of household’s education level). The prevalence of high added sugars consumers was significantly greater among 12−19-year-olds (41%) and 6−11-year-olds (37%) compared to 2−5-year-olds (19%), non-Hispanic Black (42%) and non-Hispanic White (42%) persons compared to Hispanic persons (19%), and those with a head of household’s education level of high school/some college (40%) compared to households with college degree or higher (29%). The prevalence of high consumers did not differ by sex, income, or weight status. Of eating occasions, the amount of added sugars youths consumed was highest during snack occasions among high consumers. Top five sources of added sugars among high consumers on a given day were sweetened beverages, sweet bakery products, candy, other desserts, and ready-to-eat cereals. Conclusion: One in three US youths consumed more than 15% of total calories from added sugars. High added sugars intake was more prevalent among certain subgroups such as 12−19-year-olds and non-Hispanic Black or non-Hispanic White youth. Our findings can provide information for intervention efforts to decrease added sugars intake to promote child health.

High Added Sugars Intake among US Adults: Characteristics, Eating Occasions, and Top Sources, 2015-2018.

The 2020−2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommends less than 10% of total daily calories come from added sugars. However, many adults overconsume added sugars putting them at risk for poor health outcomes. We examined characteristics of high added sugars consumers among US adults (≥20 years) and described their top 10 sources of added sugars intake using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015−2018 data (n = 9647). We defined high consumers as consuming >15% of daily calories from added sugars (1.5 times higher than the DGA). We used the National Cancer Institute method to estimate usual intake of energy and percent of calories from added sugars. Top 10 sources were identified based on their percentage contribution to total added sugars intake on a given day. T-tests were used to examine differences by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, marital status, and weight status. Overall, mean usual total energy intake and added sugars intake was 2068 kcal/day and 264 kcal/day, respectively, and 30% of adults were classified as high consumers. The prevalence of high added sugars consumers was significantly higher among 20−30-year-olds (29%), 31−50-year-olds (33%), and 51−70-year-olds (29%) than those aged ≥70 years (22%); non-Hispanic Black (39%) and non-Hispanic White (31%) adults than Hispanics (26%); adults with <high school (37%), high school/GED (38%), or some college (34%) than adults with college or higher (15%); adults living in lower-income households (39% for federal poverty income ratio < 130% and 35% for 130%−<350%) than high-income households (21%). The prevalence of high consumers did not differ by sex or weight status. Top sources of added sugars were sweetened beverages (42%), tea (12%), sweet bakery products (11%), and jams/syrups/sugars (7%). Our findings can inform intervention efforts to decrease added sugars intake to support health.

Farmers’ Awareness and Perceptions in Agritourism Participation in Calaanan Bongabon Nueva Ecija: A basis of Marketing Development Plan

Agriculture is one of the top sources of livelihood of the residents of Calaanan Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, and since the area which is surrounded with great scenery, agritourism is slowly being introduced. With the potentials that agritourism has for the area and for the farmers, the researchers came to assess the awareness and perceptions of the farmers in agritourism participation in Calaanan, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. The proponents derived the responses from twenty participants using quantitative research design. The result showed that there was high level of awareness to participate in agritourism specifically in awareness on the opportunity to develop connections to urban dwellers to rural culture and lifestyles. The farmers perceived agritourism as possible help to farmers to increase their standard of living. Moderate level of willingness to participate in agritourism was noted, this is due to challenges in lack of capital, the technical know-how on managing agritourism business, and unidentified target customers and others. This study has recommendations to address the challenges which may also be a basis of marketing development plan.

Children Aged 5–6 Years in Vancouver, Canada Meet Dietary Recommendations for Folate and Vitamin B12 but not Choline

BackgroundCholine, folate, and vitamin B12 are required for growth and development, but there is limited information on the intakes and relationships to biomarkers of status in children. ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine the choline and B-vitamin intakes and relationship to biomarkers of status in children. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in children (n = 285, aged 5–6 y) recruited from Metro Vancouver, Canada. Dietary information was collected by using 3 24-h recalls. Nutrient intakes were estimated by using the Canadian Nutrient File and United States Department of Agriculture database for choline. Supplement information was collected by using questionnaires. Plasma biomarkers were quantified by using mass spectrometry and commercial immunoassays, and relationships to dietary and supplement intake were determined by using linear models. ResultsDaily dietary intakes of choline, folate, and vitamin B12 were [mean (SD)] 249 (94.3) mg, 330 (120) DFE μg, and 3.60 (1.54) μg, respectively. Top food sources of choline and vitamin B12 were dairy, meats, and eggs (63%–84%) and for folate, were grains, fruits, and vegetables (67%). More than half of the children (60%) were consuming a supplement containing B-vitamins, but not choline. Only 40% of children met the choline adequate intake (AI) recommendation for North America (≥250 mg/d); 82% met the European AI (≥170 mg/d). Less than 3% of children had inadequate folate and vitamin B12 total intakes. Some children (5%) had total folic acid intakes above the North American tolerable upper intake level (UL; >400 μg/d); 10% had intakes above the European UL (>300 μg/d). Dietary choline intake was positively associated with plasma dimethylglycine, and total vitamin B12 intake was positively associated with plasma B12 (adjusted models; P < 0.001). ConclusionsThese findings suggest that many children are not meeting the dietary choline recommendations, and some children may have excessive folic acid intakes. The impact of imbalanced one-carbon nutrient intakes during this active period of growth and development requires further investigation.

PUTTING THE 4MS INTO PRACTICE: IMPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY

Abstract The AgingME Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (AgingME GWEP), a statewide collaboration led by the University of New England and the University of Maine, is guided by an annual statewide survey of community and professional stakeholders. The aim of this research is to identify training and resource gaps related to age-friendly healthcare and topics of interest. Of the 245 survey respondents, 15% indicated existing knowledge of the 4Ms framework. The top sources of 4M’s framework exposure included trainings or webinars (30%) and web-based resources (19%). Of those with knowledge of the 4M’s, 33% of providers and 29% of older adults/community members reported employing the 4Ms in their professional practices and personal lives, respectively. Respondents also noted the need for more training on how to use technology to locate healthcare information (33%), using technology to reduce isolation and loneliness among older adults (29%), and keeping providers connected with older patients (26%). Additional write-in responses (11%) suggest a need for general technology training and improving access to technology overall. Respondents' (N = 157) top five categories for needed aging-related training topics were community resources for older adults (15%), aging-in-place (14%), exercise and nutrition (11%), improving provider/patient communication (9%), and 4M’s of age-friendly healthcare overview (8%). Responses also identified themes related to improving patient/provider communications, availability of resources, and ageism that could be addressed through upcoming GWEP activities. Results indicate a need to facilitate the translation of 4Ms knowledge into practice and increasing technology training and access.

CHALLENGES AND SUPPORTS FOR VETERAN CAREGIVERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY

Abstract Informal caregivers face challenges in supporting older or medically-complex Veterans, which could be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our mixed methods observational study explored Veteran caregivers’ supports, challenges, and self-identified impacts during the pandemic. Caregivers whose veterans needed help with at least one activity of daily living for the last year and received care at one of five Veterans Health Administration (VA) study sites were eligible. Survey participants (n=46) were 96% female, 32-83 years old (median 59); most (83%) cared for a spouse. A majority (67%, n=31) reported increased stress since the start of the pandemic. Top sources of increased stress included worry about COVID-19 infection, increased caregiving responsibility, delayed access to care, concerns about vaccine safety, and employment or financial concerns. Caregiver interviews (n=26) qualitatively analyzed using a rapid, templated approach identified the following themes: (1) the benefits and challenges of VA COVID precautions to Veteran care access (e.g. telehealth, getting care for new problems), (2) supports afforded by and limits of the expansion of the VA Caregiver Support Program, (3) declines in Veteran physical and cognitive functioning, (4) increased caregiver role in Veterans’ support and care, (5) changes in work and living situations to address increased caregiving needs and/or reduce risk of exposure, and (6) loss of and then return to more usual routines and social outlets amid ongoing COVID-related uncertainties. Recommendations include targeted, personalized outreach to engage caregivers in existing supports, removing barriers and streamlining processes for obtaining services, and creating durable caregiver-to-caregiver, peer support opportunities.

Performance characteristics of cementitious composites modified with silica fume: A systematic review

The intention of this study was to examine the use of the most prevalent industrial byproduct, silica fume, as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). Along with the typical review, this study used the scientometric review technique to statistically examine the various features of the existing literature. A scientometric-based study can deal with the massive literature data using the applicable software tool. The bibliometric data on silica fume in concrete was gathered using the Scopus search engine between 2001 and July 2022. The top publication sources, co-occurrence of keywords, highly cited authors, and active contributing countries were all examined using scientometric analysis. Additionally, the properties of composites using silica fume as the SCM were discussed. The effect of silica fume addition on compressive, split-tensile, and flexural strength, as well as the durability and microstructure of cementitious composites, were described. It was concluded that the inclusion of silica fume as an SCM improved the material's properties while also providing environmental benefits. However, there is a limit beyond which silica fume addition showed an unfavorable effect on the performance of cementitious composites. The optimum proportion of silica fume in concrete was found to be in the range of 15–25 % by mass of cement. Moreover, literature data were utilized to develop prediction models for the strengths of cementitious composites containing silica fume, and the prediction models agreed with the actual results. These prediction models could be used to test the material strength, saving both time and cost.

Mushrooms as future generation healthy foods.

The potential of edible mushrooms as an unexploited treasure trove, although rarely included in known food guidelines, is highlighted. Their role in shielding people against the side effects of an unhealthy stylish diet is reviewed. Mushrooms complement the human diet with various bioactive molecules not identified or deficient in foodstuffs of plant and animal sources, being considered a functional food for the prevention of several human diseases. Mushrooms have been widely used as medicinal products for more than 2,000 years, but globally the potential field of use of wild mushrooms has been untapped. There is a broad range of edible mushrooms which remain poorly identified or even unreported which is a valuable pool as sources of bioactive compounds for biopharma utilization and new dietary supplements. Some unique elements of mushrooms and their role in preventative healthcare are emphasized, through their positive impact on the immune system. The potential of mushrooms as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, and other health concerns is discussed. Mushrooms incorporate top sources of non-digestible oligosaccharides, and ergothioneine, which humans are unable to synthesize, the later a unique antioxidant, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory element, with therapeutic potential, approved by world food agencies. The prebiotic activity of mushrooms beneficially affects gut homeostasis performance and the balance of gut microbiota is enhanced. Several recent studies on neurological impact and contribution to the growth of nerve and brain cells are mentioned. Indeed, mushrooms as functional foods' nutraceuticals are presently regarded as next-generation foods, supporting health and wellness, and are promising prophylactic or therapeutic agents.

Top sources and trends in consumption of total energy and energy from solid fats and added sugars among youth aged 2–18 years: United States 2009–2018

High energy intake from non-nutrient-dense sources correlates with poorer diet quality. The aims were to 1) estimate total energy intake and energy from solid fats and added sugars combined (SoFAS) and identify their top food category sources for ages 2-18 y in 2015-2018 and 2) describe trends over time in 2009-2018. Data were from the NHANES. Pairwise differences were examined using univariate t statistics (2015-2018, n=5038), and trends by age and over time (2009-2018, n=14,038) were examined using orthogonal polynomials. In 2015-2018, SoFAS contributed a mean (SE) of 30.0% (0.3%) of total energy. Solid fats [16.1% (0.2%)] and added sugars [13.8% (0.2%)] each contributed >10%. The contribution of added sugars increased with age from 11.1% (2-3 y) to 14.4% (14-18 y), and was higher for all other race/Hispanic origins than non-Hispanic Asians. The top 5 sources of energy were sweet bakery products, savory snacks, pizza, other mixed dishes, and unflavored milk, and for SoFAS also included soft drinks, other desserts, candy, and snack bars. Total energy did not change between 2009 and 2018, but energy from SoFAS, and servings of solid fats, and added sugars declined. The contribution of unflavored milk to total energy declined for all ages and most race/Hispanic origins. Fruit drinks (all ages) and soft drinks (9-18 y) remained among top added sugars sources despite declines. The contribution of sweet bakery products to energy from SoFAS increased for most ages and candy and snack bars to energy from added sugars. In 2015-2018, SoFAS contributed >30% of total energy for ages 2-18 y, which doubled the Dietary Guidelines for Americans' recommended limit of 15%. The top 5 sources of total energy were similar to those of solid fats, and those of SoFAS similar to those of added sugars. These results may inform public health efforts for improving diet quality.