United States Department Research Articles

Nutrient Analysis of Raw United States Beef Offal Items.

Nutrient composition of beef offal was evaluated to expand availability of nutrient data for the following beef items: beef heart, liver, kidney, tongue, honeycomb tripe, oxtail, marrow bones, testicles, and blood. These items are consumed both domestically and internationally, with significant regional variations that can be contributed to unique cultural meals and dietary patterns. Standardized procedures were used to dissect and homogenize beef offal samples. Nutrient analysis occurred at United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service-approved laboratories using validated methods and standards. Each of the offal items in the study qualified for at least one "Good Source" or "Excellent Source" nutrient labeling claim as defined by the United States Food and Drug Administration, based on composition of the separable lean component. This study provides analytically derived nutrient information for U.S. beef offal items. The results reflect that these products could be beneficial in providing essential nutrients as a component of a healthy diet.

211 United States Department of Agriculture National Animal Health Monitoring System Goat 2019 study: Regional prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms in the United States

Abstract One objective of the United States Department of Agriculture National Animal Health Monitoring System Goat 2019 study (September 2019-April 2020) was to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) and lungworm infection in goats across the US. Feces were collected from 5,176 animals on 318 operations in 24 states and results were consolidated into 4 regions: Northwest (3 states, 34 operations), Northeast (9 states, 89 operations), Southeast (9 states, 132 operations) and Southwest (3 states, 63 operations). Feces from each operation were mixed and cultured to allow eggs to hatch and develop, The Baermann technique was used to recover infective third-stage larvae from cultures. GIN identification included Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Teladorsagia, Oesophagostomum and Nematodirus. Lungworm (Muellerius/Protostrongylus) first-stage larval presence was also noted. Frequencies were calculated and Haemonchus were found on 18.6 ± 3.5 % of the operations (Northwest, 27.0 ± 16.5 %; Northeast, 13.1 ± 4.7 %; Southeast, 15.9 ± 5.1 % and Southwest, 29.2 ± 9.4) %); Trichostrongylus on 97.2 ± 1.4 % of the operations (Northwest, 100 %; Northeast, 98±1.1 %; Southeast, 97.0 ± 2.2 % and Southwest, 95.7±4.2 %); Teladorsagia on 80.3 ± 4.0% of the operations (Northwest, 97.1 ± 2.4%; Northeast, 71.6 ± 9.1%; Southeast, 88.6 ± 4.6% and Southwest, 75.7 ± 7.3%); Oesophagostomum on 38.2 ± 4.3% of the operations (Northwest, 73.1 ± 9.2%; Northeast, 39.6 ± 7.1 %, Southeast, 46.4 ± 8.2% and Southwest, 15.5 ± 6.0%); Nematodirus on 7 ± 2.6 % of the operations (Northwest, 7 ± 5.1%; Northeast, 5.2 ± 4.7 %, Southeast, 0 % and Southwest, 20.8 ± 8.6 %); and lungworms on 35.4 ± 4.2 % of the operations (Northwest, 69.1 ± 9.8 %; Northeast, 52.2 ± 9.1 %, Southeast, 33.4±6.9% and Southwest, 8.3±3.3%). Results indicated that Trichostrongylus was the most prevalent followed by Teladorsagia, Oesophagostomum, lungworms, Haemonchus and Nematodirus. Prevalence of all GIN and lungworms were similar within regions except Nematodirus and lungworms, which were less in the southeast and southwest, respectively. Due to project seasonal timing and sampling logistics, fecal collection was conducted from fall through early spring which may have influenced prevalence, specifically the most pathogenic GIN, Haemonchus. This study provided valuable insight into USA regional prevalence of GIN and lungworms in goats.

Characterization of Genetic Diversity in the Capsid Protein Gene of Grapevine Fleck Virus and Development of a New Real-Time RT-PCR Assay.

The grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) is a ubiquitous grapevine-infecting virus found worldwide, is associated with the grapevine fleck complex, and is often found in mixed infections with viruses of the grapevine leafroll complex and/or vitiviruses. Although GFkV has been studied for a long time, limited sequence information is available in the public databases. In this study, the GFkV sequence data available in GenBank and data generated at the Foundation Plant Services, University of California, Davis, were used to perform nucleotide sequence comparisons, construct a phylogenetic tree, and develop a new RT-qPCR assay. Sequence comparisons showed high genetic diversity among the GFkV isolates, and the phylogenetic analyses revealed a new group comprised of GFkV isolates identified in the present study. A new assay, referred to as GFkV-CP, was designed and validated using an existing GFkV positive control together with 11 samples known to be infected with combinations of different marafiviruses and maculaviruses but not GFkV. In addition, the newly designed assay was used in a field survey to screen grapevines from diverse geographical locations that are maintained at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR) in Winters, CA.

Firearm Homicide Mortality is Linked to Food Insecurity in Major US Metropolitan Cities.

Gun violence disproportionately affects metropolitan areas of the United States (US). There is limited information regarding the influence of social determinants of health, such as food insecurity (FI) on firearm homicide mortality (FHM) in major metropolitan cities in the US. We sought to examine the relationship between FI and FHM. This was a cross-sectional analysis examining the largest 51 US major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) using data from 2018. Demographic data, markers of social inequities, and firearm homicide data were obtained from the US Census Bureau, US Department of Education, and the Frey and Brookings Institute. Food insecurity prevalence was obtained from Feeding America. Spearman ρ and linear regression were performed. Using Spearman rho analysis, higher FI (r = 0.55, P < 0.001) was associated with FHM. Other variables associated with FHM included percent Black/African American (AA) (r = 0.77, P < 0.001), poverty rate (r = 0.53, P < 0.001), and percent of children living in single parent households (r = 0.58, P < 0.001). In linear regression analyses, FI was associated with increased FHM, with 1.3 additional FHM events for each unit increase in FI (β = 1.33, 95% CI 0.27-2.39, P = 0.02). The percent of a population that is Black/AA was also associated with FHM, with more than 4 additional cases for each 1% increase in the population (β = 4.32, 95% CI 3.26-5.38, P < 0.001). Food insecurity may influence FHM in major US metropolitan cities. Community- and hospital-based programs that target FI may help combat the gun violence epidemic and decrease gun violence.

Adverse cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in people with SARS-CoV-2 treated with SGLT2 inhibitors

BackgroundWhether use of SGLT2 inhibitors reduces the risk of cardiovascular and kidney events in people who contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection is not clear.MethodsWe used the healthcare databases of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to build a cohort of 107,776 participants on antihyperglycemic therapy and had SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 01, 2020 and June 10, 2023. Within them, 11,588 used SGLT2 inhibitors and 96,188 used other antihyperglycemics. We examined the risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)—a composite of death, myocardial infarction and stroke, and major adverse kidney events (MAKE)—a composite of death, eGFR decline > 50%, and end stage kidney disease after balancing baseline characteristics between groups through inverse probability weighting. Survival analyses were conducted to generate hazard ratio (HR) and absolute risk reduction per 100 person-years (ARR).ResultsOver a median follow up of 1.57 (IQR: 1.05–2.49) years, compared to the control group, SGLT2 inhibitors use is associated with reduced risk of MACE (HR 0.82 (0.77, 0.88), ARR 1.73 (1.21, 2.25)) and reduced risk of MAKE (HR 0.75 (0.71, 0.80), ARR 2.62 (2.13, 3.11)). Compared to the control group, SGLT2 inhibitors use is associated with reduced risk of the secondary outcomes of hospitalization (HR 0.94 (0.90, 0.98), ARR 1.06 (1.36, 1.76)), anemia (HR 0.71 (0.65, 0.76), ARR 2.43 (1.95, 2.90)), and acute kidney injury (HR 0.84 (0.79, 0.89), ARR 1.86 (1.29, 2.42)).ConclusionsAmong people with SARS-CoV-2 infection on antihyperglycemic therapy, compared to those on other antihyperglycemics, those on SGLT2 inhibitors have less risk of adverse cardiovascular and kidney outcomes.

A mixed methods analysis of a yearlong intercultural competence curriculum strand

ABSTRACT Background: In a published 2016 report, it was estimated that approximately 80% of public-school teachers identified as White (United States Department of Education 2016). The duality of the issue is that the diversity of the teacher workforce has improved since 1990 but lags in comparison to the increasing diversity of the student population [Gumber, C., and J. Beckhusen. 2022. “U.S. Teachers More Diverse but Still Lag Student Racial, Ethnic Makeup”. United States Census Bureau, January 5. Accessed August 12, 2022. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/01/nations-teachers-more-diverse-but-still-lag-racial-ethnic-makeup-of-students.html.]. The discrepancy that exists in racial or ethnic diversity between teachers and students has been termed a cultural gap [Muschell, L. H., and H. M. Roberts. 2011. “Bridging the Cultural Gap: One Teacher Education Program’s Response to Preparing Culturally Responsive Teachers.” Childhood Education 87 (5): 337–340. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2011.10523209]. The value proposition for a teacher workforce that mirrors society is hard to dispute. In the broadest sense, members of the education sector must coordinate efforts to recruit and retain culturally diverse teachers. While these efforts are critical, progress will likely be carried out over a longer period of time. Thus, adequately preparing current and future teachers to bridge the cultural gap is essential. Purpose: Intercultural competence (ICC) is an increasingly relevant topic for teacher preparation programs. To date, there remains a relative dearth of research on strategies that physical education teacher education (PETE) programs can use to promote ICC among teacher candidates (TCs). This study aimed to explore a yearlong curriculum strand’s impact on promoting ICC development in TCs. Methods: A mixed methods research design involving quantitative and qualitative data collection was employed. The quantitative measure was the Intercultural Development Inventory®. Qualitative measures consisted of journal entries and semi-structured interviews. Datasets were then merged to generate mixed-data narratives. Participants included 29 TCs enrolled at a mid-Atlantic University. Findings: Analyses revealed that the curriculum strand did not promote significant change in teacher candidates’ ICC levels quantitatively. Researchers used the constant comparison method to interpret the mixed data narratives. Analyses of the mixed data narratives revealed four emergent themes: (a) experience with cultural diversity; (b) confidence to teach culturally diverse students; (c) making sense of ICC; and (d) reflection on action. Conclusions: Participant data suggests that ICC is a topic that TCs value but may be lacking in their practical, applied understanding of working across cultural differences. Implications and future research on promoting ICC among physical education TCs are discussed. To our knowledge, this study will be the first application of the IDI® to explore change following physical education TCs’ participation in a yearlong curriculum strand focused on promoting ICC.

Analysis of the Status of Irrigation Management in North Carolina

Farmers in North Carolina are turning to irrigation to reduce the impacts of droughts and rainfall variability on agricultural production. Droughts, rainfall variability, and the increasing demand for food, feed, fiber, and fuel necessitate the urgent need to provide North Carolina farmers with tools to improve irrigation management and maximize water productivity. This is only possible by understanding the current status of irrigated agriculture in the state and investigating its potential weaknesses and opportunities. Thus, the objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the current state of irrigation management in North Carolina based on 15-year data from the Irrigation and Water Management Survey by the United States Department of Agriculture–National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS). The results indicated a reduction in irrigation acres in the state. Also, most farms in the state have shifted to efficient sprinkler irrigation systems from gravity-fed surface irrigation systems. However, many farms in North Carolina still rely on traditional irrigation scheduling methods, such as examining crop conditions and the feel of soil in deciding when to irrigate. Hence, there are opportunities for enhancing the adoption of advanced technologies like soil moisture sensors and weather data to optimize irrigation schedules for improving water efficiency and crop production. Precision techniques and data-based solutions empower farmers to make informed, real-time decisions, optimizing water use and resource allocation to match the changing environmental conditions. The insights from this study provide valuable information for policymakers, extension services, and farmers to make informed decisions to optimize agricultural productivity and conserve water resources.

A review of criticality dosimetry at the Y-12 National Security Complex and practical importance of dose accuracy in emergency response

A nuclear criticality results in the emission of both neutron and gamma radiation and can produce doses to personnel near the event that exceed 0.1 Gy (10 rad). The primary purpose of nuclear accident dosimetry is to rapidly identify affected personnel in need of prompt medical treatment and to reassure personnel who have been only minimally exposed. While accurate dosimetry is desired, it must be recognized that dose determinations made from whole-body dosimeters or simple triage methods are very rough estimates and contain significant uncertainties. Even when accounting for factors like varying neutron energy spectra, mean photon energies, body orientation within the radiation field, and transient effects on dosimeter response, etc., the end value is a dosimetric quantity defined for very specific radiological conditions and determined within a simple phantom usually at a single depth. Of more importance is the biological response to the radiation, which will vary by person and can be affected by the individual's radiation sensitivity, age, gender, mass, and underlying health conditions. The overall biological, person-specific response to a given dose cannot be precisely determined except by patient symptom observation and individual biological dosimetry (e.g. chromosome analysis, lymphocyte ratios, etc.). This work describes and discusses the criticality accident dosimetry program at the Y-12 National Security Complex, a United States Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration facility. The primary goals of the Y-12 accident dosimetry program are, among others, the rapid identification of significantly exposed persons, prompt routing of exposed workers for medical evaluation and treatment, and the ultimate processing of dosimeters to assign doses to personnel.

A panel data regression model for defense merger and acquisition activity

PurposeThis paper examines the relationship between a prime contractor's financial health and its mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) spending in the defense industry. It aims to provide models that give the United States Department of Defense (DoD) indications of future M&amp;A activity, informing decision-makers and contributing to ensuring competitive markets that benefit the consumer.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses panel data regression models on 40 companies between 1985 and 2021. The company's financial health is assessed using industry-standard financial ratios (i.e. measures of profitability, efficiency, solvency and liquidity) while controlling for economic factors such as national productivity, defense budgets and firm size.FindingsThe results show a significant relationship between efficiency and M&amp;A spending, indicating that companies with lower efficiency tend to spend more on M&amp;As. However, there was no significant relationship between M&amp;A spending and a company's profitability or solvency. These results were consistent with previous research and the study's hypotheses for profitability and solvency. However, the effect of liquidity was the opposite of the expected result, possibly due to the defense industry's different view on liquidity compared to previous research.Originality/valueThe paper provides insights into the relationship between a prime contractor's financial health and its M&amp;A spending, a topic with limited research. The findings can inform policymakers and regulators on the industrial base's future M&amp;A activity, ensuring competitive markets that benefit the consumer.

United States Veterans' Utilization of Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Annual Evaluation Services

ObjectiveTo evaluate Veterans’ engagement in spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) specialty annual evaluations (AEs). DesignCross-sectional retrospective cohort study. SettingSCI/D System of Care, United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). ParticipantsVeterans with SCI/Ds (N=14,662). InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresReceiving SCI/D AEs during the study period (fiscal years [FY] 2019 and 2020). ResultsA total of 14,662 Veterans with SCI/Ds were included in the sample; 32.8% (n=4811) received 2 AEs, 28.8% (n=4219) received 1 AE, and 38.4% (n=5632) received no AEs, with an average of 0.9 AEs per Veteran over the 2-year study timeframe (range, 0-2y). Black Veterans had an 8% higher number of AEs than White Veterans after adjusting for other variables (adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.12). Veterans who lived ≥240 minutes away from a VA SCI/D System of Care Center had 45% fewer AEs than Veterans who lived within 30 minutes (adjusted RR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.52-0.59). Veterans with more SCI/D specialty visits had 90% more AEs than those with fewer visits (adjusted RR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.78-2.03), whereas Veterans with more outpatient visits in VA primary care had 28% fewer AEs (adjusted RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.69-0.76). Veterans with higher comorbidity scores had 9% more AEs than Veterans with lower scores (adjusted RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.61-0.70). ConclusionsMore than half (62%) of Veterans received ≥1 SCI/D AE during FY19-20. Veterans living closer to a VA SCI/D System of Care Center/Hub had more engagement in SCI/D AEs. Veterans with SCI/Ds who used VA primary care outside of the SCI/D System of Care had fewer AEs. There were no major racial, age-based, or sex disparities in SCI/D AE usage. Our findings suggest the need for targeted intervention efforts to promote AE use among Veterans.

Toward a More Perfect Union.

In this essay, the author, Dr. Louis Sullivan, describes his life experiences, having been born in the American South during the period of legal racial segregation. Despite many obstacles, Dr. Sullivan became a physician who founded the predominantly Black Morehouse School of Medicine and served as Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.In his efforts to improve the health of people from historically marginalized groups, including Black and Brown people as well as those experiencing poverty, Dr. Sullivan organized the Association of Minority Health Professions Schools. He chaired the Sullivan Commission to evaluate the strategies developed to increase the number of Black physicians in the nation. He supported development of the Office for Women's Health and led efforts to create the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities, both at the National Institutes of Health. When reflecting on his achievements, Dr. Sullivan cites his many mentors and allies who supported him in his career.Despite significant, ongoing resistance to current efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in our society, Dr. Sullivan is optimistic that progress toward this goal will continue to be made. He imparts lessons about persistence and positivity and reflects on several initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the health professions and in our society more broadly.

Impact of Operational Parameters on Pathogen Lethality in Dry and Semi-dry Uncooked Fermented Sausages

The safety of uncooked fermented, dried sausages relies upon controlled fermentation and drying that inactivates pathogenic bacteria. Current guidelines for the production of fermented sausages by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) and related research highlight specific safety parameters. The confidence that processing steps, which do not include cooking, inherently mitigate microbial risks, is challenged by the resilience of pathogens in the dry and acidic environments of these food products. The aim of this work was to examine the length of drying required to achieve a target pathogen reduction across a range of sausage diameters. This study investigated the relationship between product diameter and time required to achieve target reductions of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes, as well as the attainment of specific water activity (aw). The research utilized salami and summer sausage with diameters of 18 mm, 30 mm, 60 mm, 90 mm, and 110 mm. Sausage batter was inoculated with 5 strains each of E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and S. enterica. Inoculated sausages were processed with fermentation and drying protocols for each sausage type. Smaller diameter sausages reached both the desired pathogen reduction and target aw of 0.85 sooner than larger ones. However, the time to achieve the target aw did not align with the time to achieve the pathogen reduction targets, suggesting that aw alone is not a reliable indicator of safety. Another finding was larger sausages achieved the target pathogen reduction without reaching the target aw, suggesting complex relationship between aw, diameter, and pathogen inactivation. These data support the need for food safety guidelines that consider drying duration, aw, and pathogen behavior for varying sausage diameters. This research contributes to developing more precise safety protocols for producing dry and semi-dry fermented sausages.

The United States Department of Energy and National Institutes of Health Collaboration: Medical Care Advances by Discovery in Radiation Detection.

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science virtual workshop on shared general topics was held in July of 2021 and reported on in this publication in January of 2023. Following the inaugural 2021 joint meeting representatives from the DOE Office of Science and NIH met to discuss organizing a second joint workshop that would concentrate on radiation detection to bring together teams from both agencies and their grantee populations to stimulate collaboration and efficiency. To meet this scientific mission within the NIH and DOE radiation detection space, the organizers assembled workshop sessions covering the state-of-the-art in cameras, detectors, and sensors for radiation external and internal (diagnostic and therapeutic) to human, data acquisition and electronics, image reconstruction and processing, and the application of artificial intelligence. NIH and DOE are committed to continuing the process of convening a joint workshop every 12-24 months. This Special Report recaps the findings of this second workshop. Beyond showing only the innovations and areas of success, important gaps in our knowledge were defined and presented. We summarize by defining four areas of greatest opportunity and need that emerged from the unique, dynamic dialogue the in-person workshop provided the attendees.

Enhancing the Management of Deployment-Limiting Medical Conditions in the U.S. Department of Navy Leveraging Electronic Health Records and Predictive Analytics Methods.

Deployment-limiting medical conditions (DLMCs) such as debilitating injuries and conditions may interfere with the ability of military service members (SMs) to deploy. SMs in the United States (U.S.) Department of the Navy (DoN) with DLMCs who are not deployable should be placed in the medically restricted status of limited duty (LIMDU) or referred to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for Service retention determination. It is critical to identify SMs correctly and promptly with DLMCs and predict their return-to-duty (RTD) to ensure the combat readiness of the U.S. Military. In this study, an algorithmic approach was developed to identify DoN SMs with previously unidentified DLMCs and predict whether SMs on LIMDU will be able to RTD. Five years of historical data (2016-2022) were obtained from inpatient and outpatient datasets across direct and purchased care from the Military Health System (MHS) Data Repository (MDR). Key fields included International Classification of Diseases diagnosis and procedure codes, Current Procedure Terminology codes, prescription medications, and demographics information such as age, rank, gender, and service. The data consisted of 44,580,668 medical encounters across 1,065,224 SMs. To identify SMs with unidentified DLMCs, we developed an ensemble model combining outputs from multiple machine learning (ML) algorithms. When the ML ensemble model predicted a SM to have high risk scores, despite appearing healthy on administrative reports, their case was reviewed by expert clinicians to investigate for previously unidentified DLMCs; and such feedback served to validate the developed algorithms. In addition, leveraging 1,735,422 encounters (60,433 SMs) from LIMDU periods, we developed four separate ML models to estimate RTD probabilities for SMs after each medical encounter and predict the final LIMDU outcome. The ensemble model had 0.91 area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Out of 236 (round one) and 314 (round two) SMs reviewed by clinicians, 127 (54%) and 208 (66%) SMs were identified with a previously unidentified or undocumented DLMC, respectively. Regarding predicting RTD for SMs placed on LIMDU, the best performing ML model achieved 0.76 AUROC, 68% sensitivity, and 71% specificity. Our research highlighted potential benefits of using predictive analytics in a medical assessment to identify SMs with DLMCs and to predict RTD outcomes once placed on LIMDU. This capability is being deployed for real-time clinical decision support to enhance health care provider's deployability assessment capability, improve accuracy of the DLMC population, and enhance combat readiness of the U.S Military.

Mapping pharmacy deserts in North Carolina: a geospatial analysis and its implications for University of North Carolina Health’s catchment population

BackgroundPharmacy deserts represent areas where residents face notable challenges to accessing pharmacies. North Carolina (NC) presents an intriguing case study due to its diverse geographic landscape yet lacks extensive research regarding its pharmacy deserts. ObjectivesThis study aims to map pharmacy deserts in NC using pharmacy location and social determinants of health (SDOH) data measured using the social vulnerability index (SVI) and descriptively characterize health care utilization statistics for University of North Carolina (UNC) Health’s catchment population. MethodsPharmacy location data was compiled from the NC Board of Pharmacy. Pharmacy deserts were defined based on SVI > 0.75 and distance thresholds aligned to United States Department of Agriculture standards. Residential characteristics were retrieved from PolicyMap and Social Explorer databases. UNC Health patient utilization data were collected by UNC Pharmacy Data Analytics group for 3 NC counties. ResultsTwo thousand and two NC pharmacies met inclusion criteria. 17.2% urban tracts (1.3M residents) and 4.25% rural tracts (0.14M residents) were identified as pharmacy deserts (adj. P < 0.001). Those residing in deserts had significantly less internet access, annual medical cost per capita, and access to homeless relief services as well as significantly higher food insecurity rates and Medicare cost per capita (adj. P < 0.001). UNC-specific health care utilization statistics for the 3 assessed counties were all poorer in deserts compared to nondeserts within the same counties (P > 0.05). ConclusionA geospatial map with the location of pharmacy deserts in NC was created to highlight differences in patient health care utilization, affecting rural and urban areas. By incorporating SDOH predictors, this study provides a more nuanced map of NC pharmacy deserts compared to reviewing distance to pharmacies alone. Higher rates of emergency department and inpatient visits in counties with more residents in pharmacy deserts suggests potential health outcomes associated with limited pharmacy access.

Assessment of the potential nutritional value of cell-cultured chicken meat in light of European dietary recommendations

In 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture approved cell-cultured chicken meat (CCM) made with animal cell culture technology; similar applications may soon be submitted for assessment in Europe. This study employed data submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration to re-evaluate the nutritional and safety of CCM manufactured by one US-based company in the light of European Union recommendations. Compared to conventional chicken meat, serum-free CCM revealed lower content of protein, and the majority of indispensable amino acid contents, Mg, and vitamin B3, but higher levels of total fat, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, vitamins B5, B6, and A, and minerals Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, P, Se, and Zn. Toxic elements (As, Cd, Pb, Hg) did not exceed allowance thresholds, though serum-free CCM had higher levels of Cd and Pb than conventional chicken meat. Although this first assessment of CCM generally falls within the European Union requirements, it is crucial to optimize the reproducibility of the production process due to observed variabilities in nutrient levels between tested lots. This study represents a re-evaluation of CCM offered by a single product, yet it should not be extrapolated to the entire field of cultured meat.

Assessment of regulatory ecosystem services of green plants in urban ecosystems

The article presents the results of research on the assessment of ecosystem services of green tree stands on the territory of the first academic campus of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy using the MyTree tool. It is a part of the i-Tree tool set developed by the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the comprehensive program, designed to assess the ecosystem services provided by individual trees or small groups of trees. Research has established that the most important regulatory services were carbon dioxide absorption, microclimate regulation, energy saving, air purification from ozone and sulfur dioxide. Calculations by the MyTree tool show the annual cost of tree planting services on campus and its projected cumulative growth after 20 years. According to the calculations of the MyTree tool, this year’s cost of tree plantation services of the first academic campus of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy was $847.29, and according to forecasts, after 20 years it will cumulatively increase to $18,895.36. Estimates of the cost of individual components of regulatory ecosystem services are provided. The cumulative estimate over the next 20 years for CO2 sequestration was $4,129.15, which includes the sequestration of 21,963.55 kg of carbon. Air purification for 20 years is estimated at $1,342.66, which includes absorption and neutralization of 656.24 kg of O3, 117.47 kg of SO2, 54.45 kg of NO2, and 34.26 kg of solid dust particles PM2.5. Energy savings are estimated at $10,791.14, which includes energy savings of 100,448.21 kW. The tree species Aesculus hippocastanum (Bitter chestnut), Picea abies (European spruce), Picea pungens (Blue spruce), Betula pendula (Hanging birch) and Ulmus laevis (Smooth elm) provide the highest value of services. The results of this study can be used in the future to improve the planning and management of green areas of the university campus, taking into account the value of their ecosystem services.In general, the study confirmed the importance of monitoring and evaluating the ecosystem services of green spaces in urban ecosystems for making sustainable decisions regarding the development of urban areas, supporting the well-being and health of the population.

Homogenized Modeling of CO2/CO Reduction Catalyst Microenvironments with Intermixed Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Regions

Electroreduction of CO and CO2 offer a pathway toward renewable-powered synthesis of hydrocarbon chemicals and fuels. Both the composition and the structure of cathodic catalyst microenvironments in gas diffusion electrodes play a dominant role in determining the product composition and efficiency metrics. Porous and hydrophilic copper environments are known to produce multi-carbon species and exhibit large active surface areas, but recent investigations have shown that the inclusion of sporadically-distributed porous hydrophobic regions creates additional pathways for the delivery of gaseous reactants, thereby mitigating transport limitations seen in pure Cu catalysts.As the design space for catalysts has grown to include a wide variety of material and geometric parameters, accurate PDE-based modeling and simulation of such systems has become necessary to understand and optimize the coupled reaction and transport processes that determine cell performance. High fidelity models, however, pose immense computational challenges. Physical and chemical processes occur over a wide variety of spatiotemporal scales, ranging from pore-scale reaction and transport to device-scale gradients in species concentrations. Additionally, the spatial orientation of these features necessitates modeling in multiple dimensions, and transport occurs simultaneously through two phases located within randomly-intermixed porous regions. As a result of all these factors, numerical simulation of high fidelity models is prohibitively expensive.In this work, we develop, numerically simulate, and validate a predictive model that efficiently incorporates a wide range of physical and chemical processes occurring in catalyst microenvironments with intermixed hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. We employ homogenization as a means of model reduction, constructing a medium fidelity model that captures both microenvironment geometric scales and full device scales in 3D. Our model, coupled with the appropriate numerical methods for treatment of stiff and multi-dimensional problems, permits low-cost exploration of the high-dimensional parameter space associated with recently developed catalysts, offering quantitative insight into the optimal design of microenvironments for CO and CO2 electroreduction.This work is supported by the United States Department of Energy under grant DE-SC0021633.

(Invited) Targeted Research to Develop Next Generation PEM Water Electrolyzers

The utilization of low-carbon intensity hydrogen as an energy carrier promises a path to the decarbonization of sectors including electricity, heavy-duty transportation, and industry at scale. The United States Department of Energy is investing into this opportunity by heavily supporting research and development efforts for hydrogen production at scale. In recent years, the DOE has established the H2NEW consortium which consists of nine national labs and additional partners to focus on the advancement of water electrolysis. It also launched the Hydrogen Energy Earthshot in 2021, targeting the reduction of clean hydrogen production cost by 80% from $5 to $1 per 1 kg H2 produced in 1 decade. For these efforts to be successful, techno-economic analyses are used to identify the research and development areas with the greatest impact, supporting targeted studies on scalable manufacturing and materials that lower capital costs, produce hydrogen efficiently, and enable durable operation over the system lifetime.In this presentation the challenges and trade-offs of electrolyzer operation for renewable hydrogen generation will be reviewed, and results from targeted NREL studies on components, materials and interfaces will be discussed in detail, including for example PTL morphology, PTL coatings, and PTL/catalyst layer interactions and their effect on operation with thin membrane materials, hydrogen crossover and voltage loss contributions. The presentation also touches on any advanced in-situ diagnostic development that was required for the studies, such as high pressure operation, hydrogen crossover quantification, high throughput testing, and spatial diagnostics.

Hydrogen Storage Properties of Metal-Modified Graphene Materials

The absence of adequate methods for hydrogen storage has prevented the implementation of hydrogen as a major source of energy. Graphene-based materials have been considered for use as solid hydrogen storage, because of graphene’s high specific surface area. However, these materials alone do not meet the hydrogen storage standard of 6.5 wt.% set by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). They can, however, be easily modified through either decoration or doping to alter their chemical properties and increase their hydrogen storage capacity. This review is a compilation of various published reports on this topic and summarizes results from theoretical and experimental studies that explore the hydrogen storage properties of metal-modified graphene materials. The efficacy of alkali, alkaline earth metal, and transition metal decoration is examined. In addition, metal doping to further increase storage capacity is considered. Methods for hydrogen storage capacity measurements are later explained and the properties of an effective hydrogen storage material are summarized.