Oak Ridge Associated Universities

Background/Objectives: Healthy food incentive programs (HFIP), such as fruit and vegetable voucher incentives, can supplement other nutrition assistance programs to support food and nutrition security. However, little is known about the prevalence of HFIP, particularly at the municipal level. This study examines the prevalence of HFIP in a nationally representative sample of U.S. municipalities and the association between the availability of HFIP and municipal characteristics. Methods: Using data from the CDC’s 2021 National Survey of Community-Based Policy and Environmental Supports for Healthy and Active Living (n = 1982 municipalities), a weighted bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted to estimate the prevalence of HFIP overall and by municipal characteristics, and to assess the relationship between municipal characteristics and HFIP. Results: Only 7.8% of municipalities reported offering HFIP in 2021. The odds of having an HFIP were higher in municipalities with a food policy council (aOR 2.8; 95%CI: 1.9, 3.9) compared to those without. Larger communities (size ≥ 50,000 reported 24.6%) and those with a higher prevalence of residents living in poverty were also more likely to offer HFIP. Conclusions: Few municipalities reported offering HFIP. Results suggested that engaging institutions and individuals (e.g., via food access coalitions) may be strategies that could support municipalities initiating and implementing HFIP to improve diet quality and reduce chronic disease risk.

We present a calibrated database of reflectance spectra for the solar system planets (i.e., Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) and for Titan, spanning from the ultraviolet to the near infrared. We considered data collected over 60 yr of planetary observations, employing a broad range of geometries and facilities (spacecraft and ground-based observatories). To correct for differences in observational geometries and data quality, we adopted a two-step calibration process that standardized each spectrum to the planet's geometric albedo values and corrected for planetary heterogeneity and calibration effects. The calibrated datasets were then combined across wavelengths, leading to a reference composite reflectance spectrum for each planet. As an application of this spectral library for exoplanetary research, we simulated direct imaging observations of the Proxima Centauri and HD 219134 systems as solar system analogs, as well as the solar system at a distance of 10 pc. We also explored the detection limitations of direct imaging instruments imposed by the inner and outer working angles for Earth- and Jupiter-like exoplanets as a function of system distance. Additionally, we used the visible light portion of the results to produce realistic color reconstructions of each planet. Standardizing reflectance spectra in this work improves our baseline for interpreting new reflected light observations of exoplanets through comparative planetology. This spectral library (available on Zenodo at doi:10.5281/zenodo.17470004) can then serve as a calibrated and validated reference in the modeling and preparation for the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres with future direct imaging missions and for astronomical studies of the solar system.

The Rocky Flats (RFs) Plant operated from 1951-1989 as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear complex. Its primary mission was weapons component fabrication, whereby workers were potentially exposed to radioactive and non-radioactive hazards. RF worker mortality was compared to the general population, and dose-response relationships between mortality and radiation organ doses were examined. RF workers first employed between 1951 and 1979 for ⩾30 d were identified (n= 9397). Vital status was determined using national and state death records up to 2017. Organ doses from external photons and neutrons irritation and internalised plutonium (Pu), americium (Am), and uranium (U) were modelled as cumulative lagged total doses per year. Beryllium exposure was evaluated as an effect modifier using data from the DOE Nationwide Beryllium Medical Program. Statistical analyses included standardised mortality ratios (SMRs), Cox proportional hazard models, and excess relative risk (ERR) models. Approximately 53.2% of workers were deceased by the end of the study. Nearly 90% were monitored for radiation exposure, with a mean weighted absorbed dose of 59.0 mGy for the lungs. Nearly 45% of workers had intakes of alpha-particle emitting radionuclides, and 46.7% were monitored for neutrons. Leading causes of death included ischemic heart disease (n= 999) and lung cancer (n= 361). The highest SMRs were observed for berylliosis (SMR: 176.9; 95% CI: 76.2, 348.7;n< 10) and asbestosis (SMR: 4.65; 95% CI: 2.23, 8.55;n= 10). Dose-response analyses showed no statistical increase in risk from low-dose radiation including lung cancer (ERR per 100 mGy: -0.02; 95% CI: -0.11, 0.08;n= 361) and Parkinson's disease (ERR per 100 mGy: 0.13; 95% CI: -0.26, 0.31;n= 57). Approximately 45% of workers were monitored for beryllium, with a weak non-significant indication of effect modification for lung cancer risk. The RF cohort showed no evidence of a statistically significant increase in mortality from occupational radiation exposure. However, this study was limited by low statistical power, which inhibits the ability to detect effects. Future pooling of Million Person Study (MPS) cohorts will provide further insights, particularly regarding Pu as a carcinogen.

Telenomus remus Nixon is an important egg parasitoid of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)), a major agricultural pest. Originally described in Malaysia in the 1920s, T. remus has since spread across the globe. Although it was released in Florida in the 1970s and 1980s, subsequent surveys suggested it had failed to establish in the state. However, its unexpected detection parasitizing fall armyworm egg masses in Florida in 2009 and 2013 suggested a reassessment of this species within the state was warranted. In this study, we set out fall armyworm sentinel egg masses across 10 counties in Florida to evaluate the current distribution of this parasitoid across the state. We compared cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene barcodes from our survey to publicly available sequences representing T. remus populations from 24 countries spanning 4 continents and conducted phylogenetic analyses to examine the relationship of T. remus haplotypes with other Telenomus species. Our findings indicate that T. remus is now widely distributed across Florida, though it remains absent in the southeastern region of the state. We also identified 2 T. remus mitochondrial haplogroups, one that is globally distributed in Asia, South America, Africa, and Florida, and a second that was confined to the Eastern Mediterranean region (Israel, Egypt, and Lebanon) and East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania). Our phylogenetic analysis suggests these are 2 mitochondrial variants or strains of the same species, though additional studies are needed to further characterize the genetic variation between these 2 strains, as well as any important biological or ecological differences.

Calculating scan minimum detectable concentration (MDC) values using the method in NUREG-1507 can be difficult, often requiring expert knowledge and expensive software. Because of this, many projects rely on example MDC values from NUREG-1507 or MARSSIM. However, these values are general and may not match specific project needs, detectors, or conditions. They also focus only on sodium iodide (NaI) detectors used for gamma radiation in soil, and do not include alpha or beta radiation on surfaces like walls or floors. To help solve these problems, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) developed a free online tool that follows the updated NUREG-1507 guidance and includes MDC calculations for a wider range of detectors and radiation types. This makes it easier for planners to create more accurate and useful survey plans.