Search Results (54)

New York State (NYS) has experienced warming outpacing the national average, and heat events are increasing. This case-crossover study uses conditional logistic regression to estimate how maximum heat index affects heat-related illness across temporal, demographic, and spatial groups in NYS, from May to September, 2008–2019. The highest risks were in May (Relative Risk (RR) = 1.81, CI: 1.72, 1.90) and August (RR = 1.86, CI: 1.79, 1.94). Older adults, especially those aged 85 and above, are at greatest risk (RR = 1.83, CI: 1.71, 1.96). The Southern Tier climate region had a higher risk (RR = 1.93, CI: 1.80, 2.07) than several other regions. Overall, similar risk between rural and urban NYS was observed. Rural non-Hispanic Black (RR = 2.38, CI: 1.78, 3.19) populations had a higher risk than their urban counterparts. This study was innovative for NYS, providing a deeper understanding of heat–health risks to vulnerable sub-groups. This can assist with facilitating targeted interventions and public health messaging during the periods of highest risk, such as promoting awareness of cooling centers and air-conditioning benefits. Full article

We examined neighborhood-level demographic, economic, and social characteristics and food and health-services access to gauge the vulnerability of older-adult neighborhoods in New York State (NYS), which is understudied and is significant given the rapid aging of populations worldwide. We conducted descriptive ecological analyses using data from the American Community Survey, historical redlining maps, Social Capital Instruments, U.S. Department of Agriculture food access atlas, ESRI businesses, and Social Determinants of Health. We compared census tracts classified as having high and low levels of older-adult population; among those identified as high-older-adult neighborhoods, we then examined tracts with high and low levels of adult population living alone and in poverty. Our results showed that NYS neighborhoods with large shares of the older adult population are generally faring well in terms of their socioeconomic status, social capital, lack of social isolation, and health services access. However, the older-adult neighborhoods with larger shares of the population living alone and in poverty fare worse, living in areas with poorer socioeconomic status, lower social capital, and considered medically underserved. NYS older adult communities are projected to increase by 2030. Resources should be invested in such areas with vulnerable groups so populations may age in equitable and accessible communities. Full article

Exposure to wildfire smoke (WFS) is associated with detrimental physical and mental health. Periods of sustained WFS are predicted to increase with climate change, affecting populations globally. Using a retrospective cross-sectional study, we assessed perceptions of and responses to WFS in a cohort of New York State (NYS) residents in Summer 2023. Data were collected using an online survey from October to November 2023. Descriptive statistics summarized respondent experiences, while exploratory analyses identified high-risk populations using chi-square and t-tests. Our sample consisted of 609 primarily healthy, white, and well-educated individuals who spent most of their time in NYS during Summer 2023. Of the 99% that reported experiencing WFS, 92% received and 91% sought out WFS-related air quality information. While only 25% reported a WFS-related illness, 87% experienced at least one symptom with WFS, frequently citing watery eyes (63%), irritated throat (50%), and headaches (49%), with women reporting symptoms more frequently than men (89.1% vs. 81.6%; p = 0.034). A majority (93%) reported taking mitigation actions, including avoiding outdoor activities (75%) and wearing masks (54%). Our results highlight widespread impacts of wildfires in NYS during Summer 2023, with nearly all respondents reporting sustained periods of WFS. Most reported at least one adverse health symptom despite taking preventative measures, indicating that current protective strategies may be insufficient and more effective interventions are needed. Full article

New York State (NYS) passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in March of 2021 to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis that allows for its distribution, retail sale, and on-site consumption in licensed businesses. While the state (NYS) has imposed some spatial constraints on the dispensaries’ locations, it is unclear what the current spatial patterns of those dispensaries are and how they impact neighborhoods. This research explores how recreational cannabis relates spatially to neighborhood characteristics using New York City as a case study. We identified how cannabis stores are spatially correlated with neighborhood attributes, including socio-demographic and land use characteristics. Our results from the compliance check showed that the highest noncompliance rate existed in block groups where dispensaries were located in relation to schools. The results from the spatial statistics suggest that dispensaries tended to be located near adult businesses that are not considered in existing buffering requirements. Our research allows policymakers to better understand the social and spatial impacts of recreational cannabis distribution to minimize negative effects on residential areas, schools, and other sensitive locations. Full article

New York State (NYS) is actively promoting the transition to a bioeconomy to address climate change, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and foster sustainable development. This study aims to evaluate the potential of NYS’s bioeconomy, as outlined in the scoping plan guided by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The primary objectives are to assess the bioeconomy’s role in meeting climate targets by quantifying its contributions to GHG mitigation and renewable energy integration and to propose a robust monitoring framework for tracking progress. The study also examines the socioeconomic benefits of bioeconomy initiatives, particularly for disadvantaged communities (DACs), and identifies key dimensions and indicators for sustainability monitoring. The hypothesis tested posits that an integrated bioeconomy strategy can simultaneously address environmental, social, and economic goals. Findings reveal that while biomass resources offer significant opportunities for GHG mitigation and economic growth, challenges remain in feedstock estimation, deployment readiness, and stakeholder coordination. A comprehensive monitoring framework is proposed to guide policy decisions and ensure alignment with sustainability objectives. This research provides actionable insights to advance NYS’s bioeconomy, emphasizing inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and resilience. Full article

A historical perspective of more than one hundred years of influenza surveillance in New York State demonstrates the progression from anecdotes and case counts to next-generation sequencing and electronic database management, greatly improving pandemic preparedness and response. Here, we determined if influenza virologic surveillance at the New York State public health laboratory (NYS PHL) tests sufficient specimen numbers within preferred confidence limits to assess situational awareness and detect novel viruses that pose a pandemic risk. To this end, we analyzed retrospective electronic data on laboratory test results for the influenza seasons 1997–1998 to 2021–2022 according to sample sizes recommended in the Influenza Virologic Surveillance Right Size Roadmap issued by the Association of Public Health Laboratories and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although data solely from specimens submitted to the NYS PHL were insufficient to meet surveillance goals, when supplemented with testing data from clinical laboratories participating in surveillance programs, the recommended surveillance goals were achieved. Despite the sudden decline in influenza cases in 2020–2021, impacted by the COVID-19 mitigation measures, the dramatic increases in influenza cases surrounding the coronavirus pandemic reveal that influenza remains a national and international public health threat. Sample submissions to public health laboratories must be encouraged to facilitate monitoring for emerging viruses and preparedness for another pandemic. Full article

Flight delays continue to pose a substantial concern in the aviation sector, impacting both operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction. Existing systems, while attempting to predict delays, often lack accurate predictive capabilities due to poor modeling setups, insufficient feature engineering, and inadequate feature selection processes, leading to suboptimal predictions and ineffective decision-making. Precisely forecasting flight arrival delays is essential for improving airline scheduling and resource allocation. The aim of our research is to create a superior prediction model that surpasses current modeling approaches. This study aims to forecast airline arrival delays by examining data from five prominent U.S. states in 2023—California (CA), Texas (TX), Florida (FL), New York (NY), and Georgia (GA). Our proposed modeling approach involves feature engineering to identify significant variables, followed by a novel feature selection algorithm (CFS) designed to retain only the most relevant features. Delay forecasts were generated using our proposed Deep Feed Forward Regression Network (DFFRN), a five-layer deep learning approach designed to enhance predictive accuracy by incorporating extensively selected features. The findings indicate that the DFFRN model substantially outperformed conventional models documented in the literature. The DFFRN had the highest R² score (99.916%), indicating exceptional predictive efficacy, highlighting the efficacy of the DFFRN model for predicting flight delays and establishing it as a significant asset for improving decision-making and minimizing operational delays in the aviation sector. Full article

The New York State (NYS) Climate Act aims for net-zero emissions across all economic sectors by 2050, with renewable biofuels playing a key role in this transition. Approximately half of the biomass required for these biofuels is expected to come from purpose-grown sources like willow. To address this demand, we assessed land availability and biomass production potential for willow using a GIS-based fuzzy logic Land Suitability Assessment (LSA) model under three land scenarios: (1) including all cropland, (2) excluding conventional crops, and (3) excluding any cropland. Our findings show that NYS has the potential for between 1.07 and 1.59 million ha for willow cultivation, capable of producing 14.0 to 20.6 million dry Mg of biomass annually. Grassland/pasture accounts for 32–51%, and herbaceous cover for 32–48% of the potential areas. Between 33% and 53% of the area identified was in parcels that were 2–20 ha in size. These results highlight the considerable potential for purpose-grown biomass in NYS, supporting the state’s decarbonization goals and renewable energy transition. Full article

Understanding the composition of disposed municipal solid waste (MSW) and recyclables can lead to better waste management. New York State (United States) has never had a state-wide waste characterization sorting program. In 2021, sampling was conducted at 11 locations, representing 25% of the state population outside of New York City. Twenty-three tonnes from 173 discrete samples were sorted into 41 categories. The resulting data were analyzed by single constituent approaches and more novel multivariate distance techniques. The analyses found that disposed MSW was 22.8% paper, 20.5% food, and 16.8% plastics. Recyclable paper and glass–metal–plastic containers were 18.2% (11.7% paper, 6.5% containers) and yard waste was 6.5%, meaning about 25% of the disposed MSW could have been recovered. Multivariate analysis determined that the disposed MSW was similar to that from other United States jurisdictions such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York City, and Syracuse (NY), and different from California and United States Environmental Protection Agency model data. Recyclables composition was different from disposed MSW composition. Dual-stream recyclables were sorted better than single-stream recyclables. Corrugated cardboard was the most common paper recyclable and plastics were the most common container recyclable. The data are being used to help guide planning for an expected packaging extended producer responsibility law for the State. Full article

Harmful algae blooms (HABs) have been reported with greater frequency in lakes across New York State (NYS) in recent years. In situ sampling is used to assess water quality, but such observations are time intensive and therefore practically limited in their spatial extent. Previous research has used remote sensing imagery to estimate phytoplankton pigments (typically chlorophyll-a or phycocyanin) as HAB indicators. The primary goal of this study was to validate a remote sensing-based method to estimate cyanobacteria concentrations at high temporal (5 days) and spatial (10–20 m) resolution, to allow identification of lakes across NYS at a significant risk of algal blooms, thereby facilitating targeted field investigations. We used Google Earth Engine (GEE) as a cloud computing platform to develop an efficient methodology to process Sentinel-2 image collections at a large spatial and temporal scale. Our research used linear regression to model the correlation between in situ observations of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and phycocyanin and indices derived from Sentinel-2 data to evaluate the potential of remote sensing-derived inputs for estimating cyanobacteria concentrations. We tested the performance of empirical models based on seven remote-sensing-derived indices, two in situ measurements, two cloud mitigation approaches, and three temporal sampling windows across NYS lakes for 2019 and 2020. Our best base model (R² of 0.63), using concurrent sampling data and the ESA cloud masking—i.e., the QA60 bitmask—approach, related the maximum peak height (MPH) index to phycocyanin concentrations. Expanding the temporal match using a one-day time window increased the available training dataset size and improved the fit of the linear regression model (R² of 0.71), highlighting the positive impact of increasing the training dataset on model fit. Applying the Cloud Score+ method for filtering cloud and cloud shadows further improved the fit of the phycocyanin estimation model, with an R² of 0.84, but did not result in substantial improvements in the model’s application. The fit of the Chl-a models was generally poorer, but these models still had good accuracy in detecting moderate and high Chl-a values. Future work will focus on exploring alternative algorithms that can incorporate diverse data sources and lake characteristics, contributing to a deeper understanding of the relationship between remote sensing data and water quality parameters. This research provides a valuable tool for cyanobacteria parameter estimation with confidence quantification to identify lakes at risk of algal blooms. Full article

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a known precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Guidelines recommend BE screening in populations with multiple risk factors, for which non-endoscopic esophageal cell collection with biomarker testing is considered as an acceptable alternative to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The aim of this study was to evaluate analytical performance characteristics of EsoGuard^® (EG), a DNA methylation biomarker assay, as a laboratory-developed test (LDT) in esophageal samples collected with the swallowable EsoCheck^® (EC) device. EG is a next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay that evaluates methylated vimentin (VIM) and cyclin A1 (CCNA1), clinically validated biomarkers for the detection of BE and EAC. The studies were conducted according to standards of College of American Pathology (CAP), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), and New York (NY) state requirements for the analytical validation of molecular assays. Comparison to Sanger sequencing showed that EG was 100% accurate at all 31 CpG sites evaluated by the assay. The analytical sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the assay were 89%, 100%, and 96%, respectively. Intra- and inter-assay precision was 100%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1 in 400 methylated cells, and the reference range was 84%. In summary, EsoGuard demonstrates high analytical accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility in samples collected using the EsoCheck device. Full article

The development of renewable energy in agricultural landscapes has led to new debates about siting solar, wind, and other energy projects. Concerns for protecting food production and prime agricultural soils are often leading points of resistance to renewable energy projects. This resistance has grown, even as the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels has increased. The economic stakes are high, particularly for farmers seeking to diversify and stabilize farm income with renewables, but few studies have examined the likely magnitude of effects, either on food production or on farm incomes, implied by expanding renewables. How extensively are hosting communities likely to be impacted, and what do farmers stand to gain, or lose, in these debates? Focusing on a portion of New York State (NYS), with its aggressive solar development goals, we evaluated the effects of state solar targets on farmland and the economic potential for farmers leasing land. In comparison to current income from leading crops, land leasing alone would imply an increase of $42 million per year in local revenue, while affecting less than 12 percent of non-food producing, non-prime soils within the study area. The areal impacts are larger in our imaginations than in the real landscapes, and the debate has far-reaching implications for policy beyond farming areas. Full article

New York State (NYS) has set strict greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets across all sectors of its economy, including the heating sector. This study examines the financial value and environmental impacts of the residential space heating sector in NYS under different GHG abatement options by comparing the existing natural gas heating pathway with three potential GHG abatement pathways: renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen blended into RNG, and air-source heat pumps (ASHPs). These pathways are analyzed via a comparative net present value (NPV) framework from 2022 to 2042 with the emission reduction represented as a revenue stream that serves as a function of the social cost of GHGs. The investment timing of each of these pathways is also accounted for to reflect the pathways’ varying deployment timelines. The ASHP pathway with a 10% financial discount rate and a 2% social cost of the GHG discount rate achieves the lowest NPV. The RNG pathway achieves the highest NPV. A sensitivity analysis determines the impact of key factors on the NPV results. This study aims to inform policymakers, homeowners, and stakeholders of the potential benefits and costs of each of the four pathways to aid them in their decision-making process. Full article

Six mode shapes, including bending and torsion, were documented for five different basketball rims and backboards at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, NY, USA. The frequency and damping ratio of each mode shape were also determined. The empirical process began with the time-domain excitation and response of each rim-backboard system. The impulse of excitation came from an impact hammer separately applied sequentially to each node. The sinusoidal response was gathered from an accelerometer at a fixed location (node 1). Each time-domain excitation response was then converted to a frequency-domain Bode plot for each node by a Brüel & Kjær 2034 Signal Analyzer, giving transfer functions of output/input versus frequency. Structural Measurements System (SMS) StarStruc software was used to fit mode shapes to the Bode plots. Each of the six mode shapes was fitted to the Bode plots of each node at a specific modal frequency. Each of the six mode shapes was a function of the locations of the nodes, and the Bode plots gathered at each node. The first and second modes were critical for showing that the Energy Rebound Testing Device statistically correlated with the energy transferred to the rim and backboard. A known perturbation mass was selectively attached to the rim to help isolate the dynamic masses and spring rates for the rim and backboard and to ascertain that the kinetic energy transferred to the rim had a 95.67% inverse correlation with rim stiffness. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of a single-unit fixed prosthesis, using a CAD/CAM PMMA material and two printed materials (3DPPa and 3DPPb). A typodont with a specific preparation for a full crown was used; a digital impression was made with a state-of-the-art scanner (PrimeScan^TM, Dentsply-Sirona^TM, New York, NY, USA), and a full coverage restoration was designed using a biogeneric design proposal by means of specific software (InLAB 22.1, Dentsply-Sirona, NY, USA). Sixty crowns were prepared, divided into three groups according to the material: 3DPPa (n = 20), 3DPPb (n = 20), both 3D-printed from the .STL file with a resolution of 50 μm, and PMMA (n = 20) milled-derived, which were subjected to a thermocycling process. A universal testing machine (Universal/Tensile Testing Machine, Autograph AGS-X Series) with integrated software (TRAPEZIUM LITE X) equipped with a 20 kN load cell was used to determine the fracture resistance. Significant differences were found by Kruskal–Wallis test and multiple comparisons (p < 0.05) in fracture resistance between materials. The fracture resistance for the PMMA material was higher, and the standard deviation was lower (x = 1427.9; sd = 36.9 N) compared to the 3DPPa (x = 1231; sd = 380.1 N) and 3DPPb (x = 1029.9; sd = 166.46 N) prints. The restorations from the milled-derived group showed higher average fracture resistance than the provisional restorations obtained from the printed groups. However, the results demonstrated that all three materials analyzed in single-unit restorations are capable of withstanding the average masticatory forces. Full article