Obesity and COVID-19 Outcomes in a Primarily Black Population

ABSTRACT Background: Studies have noted higher COVID-19 mortality with more severe obesity in populations that included a small percentage of Black patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed COVID-19 outcomes associated with obesity in our largely African American patient population. A total of 1101 symptomatic patients with a positive COVID-19 laboratory test March 5 to June 3, 2020, were categorized into weight groups based on body mass index (BMI). Of these patients, 679 (61.7%) were Black. A total of 355 (32.2%) patients had overweight and 516 (46.9%) had obesity. Results: BMI was an independent risk factor for intubation and an independent predictor for ICU length of stay and intubation days. An unexpected observation was favorable outcomes in mild obesity compared with normal weight and more severe obesity, likely a result of older age and higher Charlson comorbidity index in patients with normal BMI compared with patients with mild obesity. Conclusions: In a diverse primarily Black population, comorbidities were a concern for adverse COVID-19 outcomes and COVID-19 outcomes were significantly worse with moderate and severe obesity

1998 CSREES Wild Blueberry Project Results

The 1998 edition of the CSREES Wild Blueberry Project Results was prepared for the Maine Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Separation of Maggot Infested Blueberries in the IQF Processing Line 2. Assessment of Preharvest Treatments on Wild blueberry Fruit Quality 3. Blueberries as a Natural Colorant for Breakfast Cereals 4. Factors Affecting Quality of IQF Wild Blueberries 5. Control Tactics for Wild blueberry Pest Insects 6. Biology and Ecology of Wild blueberry Pest Insects 7. Sustainable Pollination of Wild blueberry 8. Evaluation of Foliar Fungicides for Control of Mummy Berry 9. Phosphorus/Nitrogen Fertilizer Ratio 10. Effect of Boron Application Methods on Boron Uptake in Wild Blueberries 11. Effect of Zinc Application on Growth and Yield of Wild Blueberries 12. Effect of Soil pH of Nutrient Uptake 13. Crop Year Fertilization of Wild blueberry 14. Effect of Fertilizer Timing on Wild blueberry Growth and Productivity 15. Alternative Methods of Grass Control 16. Cultural Weed Management Using pH 17. Investigation of Hexazinone Alternatives for Weed Control 18. Evaluation of Hexazinone Applications in the Cropping Year 19. Effect of Surfactant and Ammonium Sulfate on Glyphosate Activity 20. Evaluation of Pronone MG® Spot Treatments for Control of St Jobnswort, Dogbane, Bracken Fem, Witch Grass/Fall Panicum and Bunchberry 21. Hexazinone Groundwater Surve

Potato Breeding and Variety Development for Improved Quality and Pest Resistance in the Eastern United States

The eastern U.S. potato industry needs new potato varieties to overcome pest problems while reducing agricultural chemical use and to enhance marketing opportunities. This project will conduct potato breeding, germplasm enhancement, and selection studies to improve potato productivity and quality for important eastern U.S. markets. Novel and highly improved potato germplasm and varieties will be developed to reduce the impact of economically important potato pests, such as golden nematode, late blight, pink rot, and scab

1996 Wild Blueberry CSREES Progress Reports/1996 Wild Blueberry Tax Reports

The 1996 edition of the Wild Blueberry CSREES Progress Reports/Wild Blueberry Tax Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: Wild Blueberry CSREES Progress Reports: 1. Factors affecting the quality of Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) wild blueberries 2. Factors affecting the physical and chemical properties of IQF wild blueberries 3. Preventing the bleeding of blueberry fruit in bakery products 4. Amylase test development 5. Determination of pesticide residue levels in freshly harvested and processed wild blueberries 6. Sustainable pollination of wild blueberry 7. Potential for biological control of insect pests of wild blueberry 8. Effect of desiccation on wild blueberry winter survival and cold temperature tolerance 9. Population variation in low-temperature tolerance of wild blueberry 10. Influence of flower delaying sprays on seasonal variation of low temperature tolerance in wild blueberry 11. Effect of various levels of disbudding on yield of wild blueberry 12. Effect of boron and the polyamine putrescine on wild blueberry fruit set and yield 13. Effect of soil pH on nutrient uptake 14. Phosphorus uptake 15. Correcting boron deficiency 16. Hexazinone groundwater survey 17. Effect of time of fall pruning on growth and productivity of wild blueberries 18. Evaluation of Pronone® spot treatments for control of St. Johnswort, dogbane, bracken fern, witch grass/fall panicum and bunchberry 19. Effect of hexazinone formulation on movement through the soil profile 20. Effect of plant source and density on spread of wild blueberry Wild Blueberry Tax Reports: 21. Control of wild blueberry diseases 22. Control of wild blueberry pest insects 23. Biology and action thresholds of secondary blueberry pest insects 24. Phosphorus/nitrogen fertilizer ratio 25. Effect of surfactant and ammonium sulfate on glyphosate activity 26. Blueberry Extension Education Program Bas

1997 Wild Blueberry Progress Reports

The 1997 edition of the Wild Blueberry Progress Reports was prepared for the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and the Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Investigation of processing damage of IQF blueberries 2. Use of sorter rejects and wild blueberry puree to prevent warmed over flavor in processed beef patties 3. Factors affecting the quality of IQF wild blueberries 4. Determination of pesticide residue levels in fresh and processed wild blueberries 5. Pollination ecology of wild blueberries in Maine 6. Control tactics for wild blueberry pest insects 7. IPM Strategies 8. Pest Biology 9. Effect of antidessication treatments on wild blueberry cold temperature tolerance 10. Phosphorus/nitrogen fertilizer ratio 11. Effect of boron application methods on boron uptake in wild blueberries 12. Effect of foliar zinc application on growth and yield of wild blueberries 13. Effect of soil pH on nutrient uptake 14. Crop year fertilization of wild blueberry 15. Effect of Photomag® on growth and yield of wild blueberries 16. Evaluation of Pronone MG® spot treatments for control of St. Johnswort, dogbane, bracken fern, witch grass/fall panicum and bunchberry 17. Effect of hexazinone formulation on movement through the soil profile 18. Effect of time of fall pruning on wild blueberry fruit set and yield 19. Effect of pre and postemergence herbicide applications on control of grasses 20. Hexazinone groundwater survey 21. Effect of plant source and density on spread of wild blueberry 22. Effect of surfactant and ammonium sulfate on glyphosate activity 23. Effect of crop year application of hexazinone on weed control, yield and hexazinone residue. 24. Long term effects of tribenuron methyl on wild blueberries and weed species composition 25. Effect of Velpar® DF/MAP on wild blueberry fruit set and yield. 26. Effect of reduced volume lmidan® 2.5 EC UL V applications on wild blueberry residue and efficacy 27. Wild blueberry extension education progra

2000 Wild Blueberry Project Reports

The 2000 edition of the Wild Blueberry Project Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Fresh and Processed Wild Blueberries 2. Factors Affecting the Microbiological Quality of IQF Blueberries 3. Effect of Processed Blueberry Products on Oxidation in Meat Based Food Systems 4. Separation of Maggot Infested Wild Blueberries in the IQF Processing Line 5. Water Use of Wild Blueberries 6. Control Tactics for Blueberry Pest Insects, 2000 7. IPM Strategies 8. Biology and Ecology of Blueberry Pest Insects 9. Survey of Stem Blight and Leaf Spot Diseases in Lowbush Blueberry Fields 10. Phosphorus/Nitrogen Fertilizer Ratio 11. Effect of Boron Application Methods on Boron Uptake in Lowbush Blueberries 12. Effect of Foliar Iron and Copper Application on Growth and Yield of Lowbush Blueberries 13. Effect of Soil pH on Nutrient Uptake 14. Effect of Nutri-Phite (tm) P+K on Growth and Yield of Lowbush Blueberry 15. Effect of Fertilizer Timing on Lowbush Blueberry Growth and Productivity 16. Assessment of Azafenidin for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 17. Assessment of Rimsulfuron for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 18. Assessment of Pendimethalin for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 19. Assessment of VC1447 for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 20. Cultural Management Using pH for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 21. Evaluation of Sprout-Less Weeder® for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 22. Evaluation of RoundUp Ultra® and Touchdown 5® for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries 23. Evaluation and Demonstration of Techniques for Filling in Bare Spots in Wild Blueberry Fields 24. Evaluation of Fungicides Efficacy in Wild Blueberry Fields 25. Velpar® and Sinbar/Karmex® Demonstration Plot Comparison Trial 26. Blueberry Extension Education Program in 2000 27. 2000 Hexazinone Groundwater Surve

2002 Wild Blueberry Project Reports

The 2002 edition of the Wild Blueberry Project Reports was prepared for the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and the Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Factors Affecting Microbial and Pesticide Residue Levels on Wild Blueberries 2. Effect of Blueberry Products on Oxidation in Meat Based Food 3. Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Freshly Harvested and Processed Wild Blueberries 4. Detection of Infested Wild Blueberries using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy 5. Investigation Of The Mechanism By Which Blueberry Fractions Maintain Arterial Integrity 6. Antioxidant Assessment in the Elderly 7. Water Use of Wild Blueberries and the Impact of Plant Water Stress on Yield 8. Control Tactics for Wild blueberry Pest Insects 9. IPM Strategies 10. Pest Biology 11. Wild Blueberry Pollination Research 12. Survey and Determination of Effective Control of Stem Blight and Leaf Spot Diseases in Wild Blueberry Fields 13. Effect of Foliar-applied Iron Chelate Concentration on Leaf Iron Concentration, Wild Blueberry Growth and Yield 14. Effect of Boron Application Methods on Boron Uptake in Wild Blueberries 15. Effect of Foliar N spray on Leaf N Concentration, Growth and Yield of Wild Blueberries 16. Effect of Foliar Spray (4-13-15) on Leaf Nutrient Concentration, Growth and Yield of Wild Blueberries 17. Effect of Foliar Copper Application on Growth and Yield of Wild Blueberries 18. Effect of Foliar Copper and/or Iron Application on Growth and Yield of Wild Blueberries 19. Effect of Soil pH on Nutrient Uptake 20. Assessment of Hexazinone Alternatives for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries and Weed Control 21. Evaluation of Fall Applications of Sulfonylurea Herbicides for Bunchberry Control in Wild Blueberries 22. Evaluation and Demonstration of Techniques for Filling in Bare Spots in Wild Blueberry Fields 23. Blueberry Extension Education Program Base 24. 2002 Pesticide Groundwater Survey 25. Cultural Weed Management using sulfur to lower the p

Maine Blueberry Advisory Committee Research Report

The 1990 edition of the Maine Blueberry Advisory Committee Research Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers with the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station and Maine Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Biology and action thresholds of secondary blueberry pests 2. Control of blueberry maggot 3. Control of secondary blueberry pests 4. Application of steam as a method of controlling secondary pest insects on lowbush blueberry: a feasibility study 5. Pollination of the lowbush blueberry by native bees 6. Nitrogen-phosphorus study 7. Potassium study 8. Multiple cropping of wild stands 9. Phosphorus dose/response curve 10. Improvement in the color and texture of the canned blueberry 11. The effect of fertilization and irrigation on blueberry fruit quality 12. Investigation of preprocess changes (chemical, microbiological, and/or physical) that could lead to the development of a simple and inexpensive method to measure preprocess berry spoilage 13. The effect of postharvest handling on the dietary fiber and ellagic acid content of lowbush blueberries 14. Determination of pesticide residue levels in freshly harvested and processed lowbush blueberries 15. Evaluation of Defoliating Diseases 16. Vacuum Sanitation for Disease Control 17. Evaluation and modification of commercial herbicide applications 18. Evaluation of the suitability of remote sensing to evaluate plant cover in lowbush blueberry fields 19. Evaluation of Sethoxydin (POAST) in lowbush blueberry fields 20. Seedling pruning study 21. Evaluation of norflurazon (SOLICAM) with or without hexazinone (VELPAR) for bunchberry control 22. Selective wiper and mechanical control of dogbane and bracken fern 23. Evaluation of norflurazon (SOLICAM) in fall vs spring for oatgrass control 24. Evaluation of sulfonyl urea herbicides for bunchberry control 25. Evaluation of postemergence applications of DPX-L5300 for bunchberry control 26. Effect of time of application and formulation of hexazinone (VELPAR) on blueberry and bunchberry 27. Investigations of lowbush blueberry fruit-bud cold hardiness 28. The economics of investing in irrigation for lowbush blueberries 29. Effects of irrigation on lowbush blueberry yield and quality 30. Groundwater and surface water development for blueberry irrigation 31. Design, fabrication and testing of an experimental sterilizer for blueberry field

1992 Blueberry Research Progress Reports

The 1992 Blueberry Research Progress Reports pertain to and report on research conducted in 1991, and were prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1992 CSRS Progress Reports: 1. Investigation of Groundwater Resources 2. Sprinkler Irrigation 3. Investigation of Preprocess Changes Leading to Berry Spoilage 4. Effect of Fertilization and Irrigation on Blueberry Quality 5. Effects of Calcium Salts and Citric Acid on Quality of Canned Lowbush Blueberries 6. Pollination of Lowbush Blueberry by Native Bees 7. Application of Heat for Controlling Insects 8. Investigations of Lowbush Blueberry Fruit Bud Cold-Hardiness 9. Steam Sterilization in Lowbush Blueberry Fields 10. Heat-Tolerant Molds 11. Vacuum Sanitation for Disease Control 12. Evaluation of Infrared Burner for Weed Control 13. Evaluation and Modification of Commercial Herbicide Wipers 14. Evaluation of Remote Sensing to Estimate Plant Cover in Lowbush Blueberry Fields 15. Comparison of Three Mechanical Blueberry Harvesters vs. Hand Raking Advisory Committee Research Reports: 16. Biology and action thresholds of secondary blueberry insects 17. Control of secondary blueberry pests 18. Control of blueberry maggot 19. Effects of calcium salts and citric acid on the quality of canned lowbush blueberries 20. The effects of postharvest handling on the dietary fiber and ellagic acid content of lowbush blueberries 21. Investigation of preprocessing changes that could lead to development of simple and inexpensive method to measure preprocessing berry spoilage 22. Determination of pesticide residue levels in fresh and processed lowbush blueberries 23. Vacuum sanitation for disease control 24. Heat-tolerant molds 25. Seedling pruning study 26. Effect of time and rate of application of Clopyralid for control of Vetch in lowbush blueberries 27. Evaluation and modification of commercial herbicide wipers 28. Effect of time of application and formulation of Hexazinone (Velpar) on Blueberry and Bunchberry 29. Evaluation of postemergence applications of Tribenuron Methyl for Bunchberry control 30. Thresholds of Dogbane and Bracken Fern by mechanical and chemical control in lowbush blueberry fields 31. Evaluation of the suitability of remote sensing to evaluate plant cover in lowbush blueberry fields 32. Evalution of infrared burner for weed control 33. Effect of time of fall pruning on growth and productivity of blueberry and evaluation of infrared burner to prune blueberries 34. Effect of Boron on lowbush blueberry fruit set and yield 35. Winter injury protection by potassium 36. Multiple cropping of wild stands 37. Nitrogen-Phosphorus study 38. Phosphorus dose/response curve 39. Investigations of lowbush blueberry fruit bud cold-hardines

1995 CSREES Reports

The 1995 edition of the CSREES Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Factors Affecting the Quality of IQF Blueberries 2. Preventing the Bleeding of Blueberry Fruit in Bakery Products 3. Removing Water from Blueberries Before Freezing 4. Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Freshly Harvested and Processed Lowbush Blueberries 5. Industrial Ingredients from Cull Blueberries 6. Application of Heat as a Method of Controlling Secondary Pest Insects on Lowbush Blueberries 7. The Phenology and Biology of Bumble Bees, Bombus, spp., that Pollinate Lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium spp., in Maine 8. Pollination Ecology of Lowbush Blueberry in Maine 9. Effects of Irrigation on Lowbush Blueberry Yield 10. Effect of Brief Warming Treatments on Late Winter Low-Temperature Tolerance of Native Lowbush Blueberry 11. Correlation of Late-winter/Early-spring Cold Hardiness with Date of Flowering 12. Evaluation of Cold Tolerance of Opening Flowers of Lowbush Blueberry 13. Influence of Flower Delaying Sprays on Seasonal Variation of Low Temperature Tolerance in Lowbush Blueberry 14. Effect of Various Levels of Disbudding on Yield of Lowbush Blueberry 15. Effect of Boron and the Polyamine Putrescine on Lowbush Blueberry Fruit Set and Yield 16. Effect of Boron and the Polyamine Putrescine on Extending the Receptivity of Lowbush Blueberry Blossoms 17. Effect of Soil pH on Nutrient Uptake 18. Correcting Boron Deficiency - missing 19. Phosphorus Uptake 20. Evaluation of Hexazinone Formulation on Soil Movement and Weed Control 21. Effect of Time of Fall Pruning on Growth and Productivity of Blueberries 22. Hexazinone Ground Water Survey 23. Effect of hexazinone formulation on movement through the soil profile 24. Evaluation of Tribenuron Methyl for Bunchberry Control 25. Evaluation of Tribenuron Methyl Commercial Applications for Bunchberry Control 26. Effectiveness of Resin-Exchange Columns to Determine Efficacy in Removing Hexazinone from Well Water 27. Effect of Clopyralid for Vetch Control 28. Evaluation of Tribenuron Methyl/Velpar® Tank Mix for Bunchberry Control 29. Blueberry Extension Education Progra