Advancing the Role of Food Processing for Improved Integration in Sustainable Food Chains

Food scientists need to work together with agriculturists, nutritionists, civil society, and governments to develop an integrative approach to feed a growing population sustainably. Current attention on food sustainability mainly concentrates on production agriculture and on nutrition, health, and well-being. Food processing, the necessary conversion of raw materials to edible, functional, and culturally acceptable food products, is an important link between production and consumption within the food value chain. Without increased attention to the role of food processing for a maintainable food supply, we are unlikely to succeed in addressing the mounting challenges in delivering sustainable diets for all people. The objective is to draw on multidisciplinary insights to demonstrate why food processing is integral to a future food supply. We aim to exemplify the importance of essential relevant sustainability indicators and impact assessment for developing informed strategies to feed the world within planetary boundaries. We provide a brief outlook on sustainable food sources, review food processing, and recommend future directions. We highlight the challenges and suggest strategies for improving the sustainability of food systems, to hopefully provide a catalyst for considering implementable initiatives for improving food and nutrition security

Using high fidelity simulation to impact occupational therapy student knowledge, comfort, and confidence in acute care

Background: As the demand for occupational and physical therapists in acute care settings is increasing, students are reporting a need for increased educational preparation to handle the complexities they may face in this setting. This pretest/posttest study examines the impact of an inter-professional high fidelity simulation experience on perceived levels of knowledge, comfort, and confidence among occupational therapy doctorate students when handling an acutely ill patient in an ICU setting. Methods: Two cohorts of occupational therapy students participated in an inter-professional acute care scenario with high fidelity simulation mannequins (Cohort 1, n = 19; Cohort 2, n = 27). Before and after the simulation, the students rated their perceived level of knowledge, comfort, and confidence with handling acutely ill patients. Results: A two-tailed Wilcoxin Signed-Ranks indicated that posttest ranks were statistically significantly higher than pretest ranks with α = .05 indicating improvement in students’ perceived levels of knowledge, comfort, and confidence after participating in an acute care simulation. Conclusion: High fidelity simulation can positively impact students’ perceptions of their knowledge, comfort, and confidence in handling acutely ill patients

DIFFERENCES IN SOCIAL STUDIES SKILLS AS A FUNCTION OF GENDER, ECONOMIC STATUS, AND ETHNICITY/RACE OF TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: A MULTIYEAR STATEWIDE STUDY

The purpose of this journal-ready dissertation was to examine the extent to which differences in social studies skills were present between boys and girls as a function of their economic status (i.e., Not Poor, Moderately Poor, and Extremely Poor), and of their ethnicity/race (i.e., Asian, White, Hispanic, and Black). The first purpose was to determine the extent to which differences were present in social studies skills between high school boys and girls. The second purpose was to determine the degree to which differences existed in social studies skills between high school students who were poor and who were Not Poor. Finally, a third purpose was to analyze the extent to which differences were present between four different ethnic/racial groups. Eight years of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Social Studies assessment data were examined to determine the degree to which trends were present in social studies skills

Effects of grapefruit, grapefruit juice and water preloads on energy balance, weight loss, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk in free-living obese adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Reducing dietary energy density has proven to be an effective strategy to reduce energy intakes and promote weight control. This effect appears most robust when a low energy dense preload is consumed before meals. Yet, much discussion continues regarding the optimal form of a preload. The purpose of the present study was to compare effects of a solid (grapefruit), liquid (grapefruit juice) and water preload consumed prior to breakfast, lunch and dinner in the context of caloric restriction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eighty-five obese adults (BMI 30-39.9) were randomly assigned to (127 g) grapefruit (GF), grapefruit juice (GFJ) or water preload for 12 weeks after completing a 2-week caloric restriction phase. Preloads were matched for weight, calories, water content, and energy density. Weekly measures included blood pressure, weight, anthropometry and 24-hour dietary intakes. Resting energy expenditure, body composition, physical performance and cardiometabolic risk biomarkers were assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The total amount (grams) of food consumed did not change over time. Yet, after preloads were combined with caloric restriction, average dietary energy density and total energy intakes decreased by 20-29% from baseline values. Subjects experienced 7.1% weight loss overall, with significant decreases in percentage body, trunk, android and gynoid fat, as well as waist circumferences (-4.5 cm). However, differences were not statistically significant among groups. Nevertheless, the amount and direction of change in serum HDL-cholesterol levels in GF (+6.2%) and GFJ (+8.2%) preload groups was significantly greater than water preload group (-3.7%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data indicate that incorporating consumption of a low energy dense dietary preload in a caloric restricted diet is a highly effective weight loss strategy. But, the form of the preload did not have differential effects on energy balance, weight loss or body composition. It is notable that subjects in GF and GFJ preload groups experienced significantly greater benefits in lipid profiles.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00581074">NCT00581074</a></p

Ethnic/Racial Differences in Social Studies Skills: A Texas, Multiyear Analysis

Investigated in this study was the degree to which differences were present in social studies skills as a function of ethnicity/race (i.e., Asian, White, Hispanic, and Black) of Texas high school students. &nbsp;Data were obtained from the Texas Education Agency Public Education Information Management System for all Texas high school students for the 2004-2005 to the 2011-2012 school years.&nbsp; In this study, statistically significant differences were present in the social studies skills by student ethnicity/race.&nbsp; Asian students had statistically higher average raw scores in four of the five social studies skills objectives examined than White students.&nbsp; Additionally, White students had statistically significantly higher average raw scores than Hispanic students, and Hispanic students had statistically significantly higher average raw scores than Black students for the eight years of data examined.&nbsp; A clear stair-step effect was present by student ethnicity/race in social studies performance.&nbsp; Suggestions for policy and for practice were made, along with recommendations for future research. &nbsp

An International Law Framework for Climate-Aligned Investment Governance

The January 2024 CCSI Working Paper, An International Law Framework for Climate-Aligned Investment Governance, outlines a framework — and invites and hopes to inspire further thinking, research, and discussion — on how to bridge gaps and build cohesion among various areas of international law relevant to investment in climate mitigation and adaptation. The working paper identifies areas of international law that are or could be relevant to investment governance, highlights points of inconsistency, and proposes a framework to reform and integrate international law with the objective of promoting and facilitating climate investment flows and achieving climate-aligned regulation of investment

Device for the Capture and Extraction of Waste Anesthetic Gas

Background: Leaks occur often throughout the process of delivering inhaled anesthesia prior to and during surgery. Leaks typically occur around the patient’s mouth, nose, and eyes. Potent inhaled anesthetics (PIAs) include halothane, sevoflurane, desflurane, and isoflurane. All PIAs, to one degree or another, pose hazards to human health. PIAs are associated with reproductive toxicity, spontaneous miscarriages in pregnant persons as well as an increased risk of congenital abnormalities in offspring. In other words, PIAs are thought to be both abortifacients as well as teratogens. PIAs are also associated with hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, cognitive impairment, as well as increased incidence of malignancy. Methods: Preliminary interviews with stakeholders were conducted to assess the desirability, viability, and utility of a product to trap and remove waste anesthetic gas (WAG) from the perifacial region before it diffuses into the ambient air. We used wearable detector badges (similar to a dosimeter) from Assay Technology Inc. for qualitative measurements of WAG levels in several operating rooms. We used low-fidelity mockups for early prototyping, FDM and SLA 3D printing techniques, and urethane casts for high-fidelity working prototypes. We also performed real-time simulations using a visible aerosol agent in order to record and study the efficacy of our device. Results: We found dramatically elevated levels of sevoflurane in the operating room, with our highest readings at ~10x NIOSH permissible exposure limits. With our visual simulation we saw a markedly reduced flow of WAG into the surrounding air. Conclusions: Our device adequately addresses a significant and unaddressed issue in healthcare and shows viability from an economic standpoint as well. We are currently designing a study to further evaluate levels of WAG and exploring potential studies with live anesthetic agents

Scavenger of Waste Anesthetic

Waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) are associated with spontaneous miscarriages in pregnant persons, an increased risk of congenital abnormalities, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and cognitive impairment. Through monitoring anesthesiologists we found levels of WAGs to be 5-10x the current standard inside the OR. Currently, no solutions exist for the mitigation of WAG release. Remora is a solution to removing WAGs that fits on top of existing anesthesia masks. A flexible skirt is joined to a rigid ring, which deforms under hand pressure to facilitate effective hand-to-mask placement. The suction system is plugged into an unused suction port to create an area under the anesthesia mask that is depressurized, creating circumferential suction around the mask. The negative pressure gradient between the Remora-mask unit and room air pulls WAGs into the gap between the anesthesia mask and Remora, and then into the anesthesia machine\u27s suction system. From there, WAGs are exhausted into the air handling system which receives other waste gases. Using visible gas we were able to show how much WAGs may be escaping during induction and the amount Remora was able to scavenge. While we were unable to quantify our results, we were able to qualitatively show that the amount of gas was significantly less once Remora was turned on. Our hope is to perform further studies to prove that with the use of Remora the concentration of WAGs will decrease in the OR and decrease the negative side effects associated with WAGs

The Ionized Gas and Nuclear Environment in NGC 3783 V. Variability and Modeling of the Intrinsic Ultraviolet Absorption

We present results on the location, physical conditions, and geometry of the outflow in the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3783 from a study of the variable intrinsic UV absorption. Based on 18 observations with HST/STIS and 6 observations with FUSE, we find: 1) The absorption from the lowest-ionization species in each of the three strong kinematic components varied inversely with the continuum flux, indicating the ionization structure responded to changes in the photoionizing flux over the weekly timescales sampled by our observations. 2) A multi- component model with an unocculted NLR and separate BLR and continuum line-of-sight covering factors predicts saturation in several lines, consistent with the lack of observed variability. 3) Column densities for the individual metastable levels are measured from the resolved C III *1175 absorption complex observed in one component. Based on our computed metastable level populations, the electron density of this absorber is ~3x10^4 cm^-3. Photoionization modeling results place it at ~25 pc from the central source. 4) Using time-dependent calculations, we are able to reproduce the detailed variability observed in this absorber, and derive upper limits on the distances for the other components of 25-50 pc. 5) The ionization parameters derived for the higher ionization UV absorbers are consistent with the modeling results for the lowest-ionization X-ray component, but with smaller total column density. They have similar pressures as the three X-ray ionization components. These results are consistent with an inhomogeneous wind model for the outflow in NGC 3783. 6) Based on the predicted emission-line luminosities, global covering factor constraints, and distances derived for the UV absorbers, they may be identified with emission- line gas observed in the inner NLR of AGNs. (abridged)Comment: 30 pages, 18 figures (7 color), emulateapj, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Integrating Susceptibility into Environmental Policy: An Analysis of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Lead

Susceptibility to chemical toxins has not been adequately addressed in risk assessment methodologies. As a result, environmental policies may fail to meet their fundamental goal of protecting the public from harm. This study examines how characterization of risk may change when susceptibility is explicitly considered in policy development; in particular we examine the process used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead. To determine a NAAQS, EPA estimated air lead-related decreases in child neurocognitive function through a combination of multiple data elements including concentration-response (CR) functions. In this article, we present alternative scenarios for determining a lead NAAQS using CR functions developed in populations more susceptible to lead toxicity due to socioeconomic disadvantage. The use of CR functions developed in susceptible groups resulted in cognitive decrements greater than original EPA estimates. EPA’s analysis suggested that a standard level of 0.15 µg/m3 would fulfill decision criteria, but by incorporating susceptibility we found that options for the standard could reasonably be extended to lower levels. The use of data developed in susceptible populations would result in the selection of a more protective NAAQS under the same decision framework applied by EPA. Results are used to frame discussion regarding why cumulative risk assessment methodologies are needed to help inform policy development