Food regulations protect consumer health, mitigate environmental concerns, and promote animal welfare, but they can also hinder innovation, limit entrepreneurship, and generate higher consumer prices. This study examines the number of federal and state regulatory restrictions affecting the beef, pork, poultry, sheep, goat, and seafood industries, including processing, wholesale distribution, and retail sales. We also examine state regulatory heterogeneity associated with animal protein products. Our results suggest that protein supply chains have become subject to tens of thousands of regulatory constraints over the past half-century. We also find substantial heterogeneity in the number of state restrictions associated with animal production, indicative of large differences in the amount of administrative law across states. Results highlight that the patchwork approach of U.S. food policy creates overlapping, cumbersome guidelines for manufacturers, and given the interconnectivity of modern food supply chains, the framework can create additional hurdles for interstate commerce.

Accelerating innovation translation is a priority for improving healthcare and health. Although dissemination and implementation (D&I) research has made significant advances over the past decade, it has attended primarily to the implementation of long-standing, well-established practices and policies. We present a conceptual architecture for speeding translation of promising innovations as candidates for iterative testing in practice. Our framework to Design for Accelerated Translation (DART) aims to clarify whether, when, and how to act on evolving evidence to improve healthcare. We view translation of evidence to practice as a dynamic process and argue that much evidence can be acted upon even when uncertainty is moderately high, recognizing that this evidence is evolving and subject to frequent reevaluation. The DART framework proposes that additional factors – demand, risk, and cost, in addition to the evolving evidence base – should influence the pace of translation over time. Attention to these underemphasized factors may lead to more dynamic decision-making about whether or not to adopt an emerging innovation or de-implement a suboptimal intervention. Finally, the DART framework outlines key actions that will speed movement from evidence to practice, including forming meaningful stakeholder partnerships, designing innovations for D&I, and engaging in a learning health system.

Complex oxides and semiconductors exhibit distinct yet complementary properties owing to their respective ionic and covalent natures. By electrically coupling complex oxides to traditional semiconductors within epitaxial heterostructures, enhanced or novel functionalities beyond those of the constituent materials can potentially be realized. Essential to electrically coupling complex oxides to semiconductors is control of the physical structure of the epitaxially grown oxide, as well as the electronic structure of the interface. Here we discuss how composition of the perovskite A- and B-site cations can be manipulated to control the physical and electronic structure of semiconductor—complex oxide heterostructures. Two prototypical heterostructures, Ba1−x Sr x TiO3/Ge and SrZr x Ti1−x O3/Ge, will be discussed. In the case of Ba1−x Sr x TiO3/Ge, we discuss how strain can be engineered through A-site composition to enable the re-orientable ferroelectric polarization of the former to be coupled to carriers in the semiconductor. In the case of SrZr x Ti1−x O3/Ge we discuss how B-site composition can be exploited to control the band offset at the interface. Analogous to heterojunctions between compound semiconducting materials, control of band offsets, i.e., band-gap engineering, provides a pathway to electrically couple complex oxides to semiconductors to realize a host of functionalities.

Complex oxides and semiconductors exhibit distinct yet complementary properties owing to their respective ionic and covalent natures. By electrically coupling oxides to semiconductors within epitaxial heterostructures, enhanced or novel functionalities beyond those of the constituent materials can potentially be realized. Key to electrically coupling oxides to semiconductors is controlling the physical and electronic structure of semiconductor – crystalline oxide heterostructures. Here we discuss how composition of the oxide can be manipulated to control physical and electronic structure in Ba1-xSrxTiO3/ Ge and SrZrxTi1-xO3/Ge heterostructures. In the case of the former we discuss how strain can be engineered through composition to enable the re-orientable ferroelectric polarization to be coupled to carriers in the semiconductor. In the case of the latter we discuss how composition can be exploited to control the band offset at the semiconductor - oxide interface. The ability to control the band offset, i.e. band-gap engineering, provides a pathway to electrically couple crystalline oxides to semiconductors to realize a host of functionalities.

Linked administrative population data were used to estimate the burden of childhood respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalization in an Australian cohort aged <5 years. RSV-coded hospitalizations data were extracted for all children aged <5 years born in New South Wales (NSW), Australia between 2001 and 2010. Incidence was calculated as the total number of new episodes of RSV hospitalization divided by the child-years at risk. Mean cost per episode of RSV hospitalization was estimated using public hospital cost weights. The cohort comprised of 870 314 children. The population-based incidence/1000 child-years of RSV hospitalization for children aged <5 years was 4·9 with a rate of 25·6 in children aged <3 months. The incidence of RSV hospitalization (per 1000 child-years) was 11·0 for Indigenous children, 81·5 for children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 10·2 for preterm children with gestational age (GA) 32–36 weeks, 27·0 for children with GA 28–31 weeks, 39·0 for children with GA <28 weeks and 6·7 for term children with low birthweight. RSV hospitalization was associated with an average annual cost of more than AUD 9 million in NSW. RSV was associated with a substantial burden of childhood hospitalization specifically in children aged <3 months and in Indigenous children and children born preterm or with BPD.

A 14-month survey was undertaken in a diagnostic bacteriology laboratory to determine the incidence of Serratia spp. in routine clinical specimens. Gram-negative organisms with enterobacteria-like colonies were tested by a simple screening procedure. Fifty-eight strains of S. marcescens and two strains of S. liquefaciens were isolated from 59 patients. The strains were usually nonpigmented and exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance. Serotyping and determination of bacteriocine sensitivity patterns revealed that the majority of infections were sporadic, although episodes of cross-infection did occur.

S. marcescens was considered to contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in 53% of patients and appears to be of increasing importance in hospital-acquired infections.

As meiosis is initiated and the oogonium is transformed into a primary oocyte, the female germ cell becomes intimately invested by a single squamous layer of sex cord epithelium. As the follicle cell population expands during the initial stages of the ovarian cycle, oocyte and follicle cells become increasingly connected to one another by one of the most extensive populations of gap junctions documented in any epithelium (reviewed in Larsen & Wert, 1988).

Total protein content and amounts of albumin, legumin and vicilin have been determined for pea seeds from lines near-isogenic except for genes at the rugosus loci, r and rb (RR/RbRb; rr/RbRb; RR/rbrb; rr/rbrb). Seeds with the wildtype, round-seeded phenotype (RR/RbRb) had less protein on a total seed dry-weight basis than any of the wrinkled-seeded lines and this protein had a lower proportion of albumin. The lines which had recessive alleles at both r and rb loci had the highest proportion of protein and the highest proportion of albumin. The roundseeded peas possessed nearly two-fold more legumin than the double recessive line, with proportions for the two single recessive lines falling in between these extremes. Vicilin levels were similarfor all four near-isogenic lines. SDS-PAGE analysis of the isolated albumin, legumin and vicilin fractions revealed no significant differences between the four lines. Differential scanning calorimetry of protein extracts showed that all the wrinkled-seeded near-isolines possessed legumin fractions with diminished thermal stability relative to that from the roundseeded, wild-type line.

Chemically-induced mutants were also analysed for protein content and composition. These mutants have previously been shown to display great variation in starch and lipid levels. Total protein varied from 20.3% to 37.9%; however, relative proportions of albumin, legumin and vicilin were similar in all mutant lines. SDS-PAGE analysis identified two mutant pea lines which possessed a legumin A-chain of 65 000 Mr as well as the typical 45 000 Mr form. Differential scanning calorimetry of protein extracts indicated that the legumin in all mutants had lower enthalpies of denaturation than the legumin in the round-seeded parent.

The mutant pea lines possess exceptional variation with respect to starch, lipid and protein which raises opportunities for their use in the food and animal feedstuff industries.

The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer (FKSI) is a mission concept for a spacecraft-borne imaging and nulling interferometer for the near to mid-infrared spectral region. FKSI is a scientific and technological pathfinder to the Darwin and Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) missions and will be a high angular resolution system complementary to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). There are four key scientific issues the FKSI mission is designed to address. These are: 1.) characterization of the atmospheres of the known extra-solar giant planets, 2.) assay of the morphology of debris disks to look for resonant structures characteristic of the presence of extrasolar planets, 3.) study of circumstellar material around a variety of stellar types to better understand their evolutionary state, and in the case of young stellar systems, their planet forming potential, and 4.) measurement of detailed structures inside active galactic nuclei. We report results of simulation studies of the imaging capabilities of the FKSI, current progress on our nulling testbed, results from control system and residual jitter analysis, and selection of hollow waveguide fibers for wavefront cleanup.

The role of Nirex is to provide the United Kingdom with safe, environmentally sound and publicly acceptable options for the long-term management of all intermediate level and some low level radioactive waste. Nirex has developed its Phased Disposal Concept as one option for the long-term management of radioactive materials. The Phased Disposal Concept represents a stepwise and reversible approach to the disposal of radioactive waste within a deep geological repository that involves the immobilisation of wastes in containers (mainly fabricated from stainless steel) that are surrounded by a cementitious backfill.

The wastes for potential disposal contain materials that may require consideration on the basis of their potential non-radiological hazards. This paper describes a preliminary two-stage methodology for assessing the post-closure impact of the disposal of chemically toxic materials to a conceptual Nirex repository. The study suggests some materials either exceeded current estimates of safe levels, or their impact could not be quantified at this stage but was considered to be of concern. These materials included beryllium, phenol, benzene, and nitrite.

Data are presented on the effects of modern farming practices on soil as an agricultural resource in England and Wales (E&W), namely: nutrient status, pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), heavy metal concentrations, and on soil erosion risk. Fertilizer-N inputs to tillage (arable) and grassland soils increased from 84 and 65 kg/ha N in 1969 to 151 and 120 kg/ha N, respectively, in 1997. The estimated N surplus (inputs less outputs) increased from 84 and 96 kg/ha N to 102 and 154 kg/ha N, respectively, over the same time. Phosphorus inputs to tillage (mean 37 kg/ha P) and grassland (mean 21 kg/ha P) changed little over the period. However, P surpluses decreased from 25 kg/ha P in 1969 to 15 kg/ha P in 1997 on tillage land (largely as a result of greater P offtakes), and from 20 to 17 kg/ha P in 1997 on grassland (largely because of a small decrease in fertilizer P). The cumulative tillage land soil P surplus was c. 580 kg/ha P, and was estimated to increase topsoil total P concentrations by c. 170 mg/kg P and Olsen-extractable soil P by c. 26 mg/l P. The mean annual P surplus for grassland was 18 kg/ha P which, over the study period, added c. 427 kg/ha P to the soil, an increase in topsoil total P of c. 214 mg/kg P, and in Olsen-extractable P of 19 mg/l P.

Concentrations of SOC in some soils have decreased between 1980 and 1995, especially where soils have been ploughed out of grassland and on lowland organic and peaty soils in tillage. The mean SOC of soils in arable/ley cultivation in 1980 was 3·4% and 2·8% in 1995.

The proportion of arable soils with pH < 6·0 decreased from 10% in 1969–73 to 4% in 1990–93, reflecting the better targeting of lime inputs. In contrast, the proportion of grassland soils with pH < 6·0 increased from 39% in 1969–73 to 56% in 1990–93.

Although there were statistically significant changes in the mean soil concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn between 1980 and 1995, many of the changes were small in absolute terms. Hence, there was little evidence of marked or systematic changes in topsoil total heavy metal concentrations that could not be explained by factors other than increased pollutant loadings.

Over the next 50 years or so, the threat from soil erosion to crop productivity will be greatest on shallow soils ([les ] c. 0·3 m depth), mostly over chalk and sandstone as further removal of soil will lead to increased drought stress. Provided that nutrient supplies are maintained, the evidence is that losses in arable crops on eroded soils would range between 2% and 8% of current yields.

Thus, within the limitations of the data available, both in time and space, we found little evidence that most soils in E&W cannot continue to support modern farming practices, and the associated crop and animal outputs, given appropriate inputs of nutrients and an adequate degree of crop protection.

Lime loss rates were determined for 11 agricultural soils across England (1987–92) under arable cropping (six sites) and grassland management (five sites), receiving commercial rates of fertilizer inputs. Lime additions in the range 0–1500 kg ha−1 CaCO3 (250 kg ha−1 CaCO3 increments) were made annually to the sites. Soil pH (water and 0·01 m CaCl2) and exchangeable calcium concentrations were measured annually. The annual lime loss rates were calculated as the amount of lime needed to maintain the initial site pH or exchangeable Ca concentrations.

Lime loss rates based on soil water pH varied between 40 and 1270 kg ha−1 CaCO3, on the basis of CaCl2 pH between 0 and 1370 kg ha−1 CaCO3, and exchangeable Ca between 0 and 1540 kg ha−1 CaCO3. There was a positive relationship between the lime loss rate (based on water pH) and initial soil pH value (r=0·75; P<0·01), and a negative relationship with soil organic matter content (r=0·63; P<0·05) was based on soil pH, organic matter content and nitrogen (N) fertilizer input. Lime loss rates were approximately double those predicted by previous models developed in the 1970s, reflecting the greater quantities of inorganic N fertilizer now being applied to agricultural land.

A large proportion of broiler chickens suffer from lameness euphemistically called ‘leg weakness’. In a survey of commercial, intensively reared broilers, 90% had a detectable gait abnormality and 26% suffered an abnormality of sufficient severity for their welfare to be compromised (Kestin et al., 1992). It is assumed that leg weakness is painful but there is little direct evidence of this. Chickens have been shown to be able to select an adequate protein diet from a choice of two or three foods which are individually inadequate (Forbes and Shariatmadari, 1994). Broiler chickens showed a significant preference for food of the colour which was paired with ascorbic acid supplementation when the requirement for ascorbic acid was increased by heat stress (Kutlu and Forbes, 1993).

We have developed a numerical model for calculating stresses generated during cure of shrinking encapsulating resins. Mechanical modeling of polymer encapsulated electronic devices usually focusses on stress generated during cooling after cure. The stress developed during cure, due to shrinkage of the encapsulant, is normally neglected. That assumption is valid if both the shear and bulk moduli of the encapsulant at the cure temperature are negligible with respect to the moduli at lower temperatures. Our measurements on a model epoxy encapsulant show that the shear modulus during cure, varying from 0 to 6 MPa, is at least 100 times smaller than that at ambient temperature. In contrast, the bulk modulus at the cure temperature is only 2.5 times smaller. Since the bulk modulus during cure cannot be neglected, significant stress can be produced if volume shrinkage is constrained by a stiff mold or embedded elements. In fact, mechanical failure of encapsulating materials during cure has been evident in some of our experiments. Using measurements of shear and bulk moduli plus volume shrinkage as inputs to a finite element model, we have successfully predicted the shrinkage strains and stresses developed during cure of a model epoxy resin inside a cylindrical tube. Consideration of cure shrinkage stress has led to a process modification that appears to reduce mechanical failures in a real encapsulated device.