USDA Plant Genome Database Managed by NAL
NAL is playing a key role in the USDA National Genetics Resources Program, a cooperative effort of the Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative State Research Service and NAL to incorporate germplasm conservation and five genome research programs (plant, tree, animal, insect and microorganisms).
NAL is responsible for the data gathered from the genome research programs and from the international research community, and stored in a master database. The target user groups for this information are plant breeders and molecular geneticists.
During the year, the Plant Genome Database (PGD) evolved from the design and development stage to full production. The database consists of genome data from five species groups: wheat, maize, soybean, pine, and Arabidopsis, as well as relevant bibliographic data from AGRICOLA.
Interactive access to PGD is provided via the Internet. The database provides links to other relevant databases such as DNA and protein sequence databases, and the Agricultural Research Service's GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network).
In FY 1994, the database will expand to include data from solanaceous crop plants, rice, cotton and ultimately about 70 important crops. A CD-ROM release of the PGD is also planned for FY 1994.
Food Labeling Education Information Center Established
Established as part of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1990, the FDA/USDA Food Labeling Education Information Center, located at NAL, got into full swing in 1993. The center is a cooperative effort between the NAL's Food and Nutrition Information Center, the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration.
A cornerstone of the center's activities is a database of new food labeling education activities and materials developed by the private and public sectors throughout the United States. Center staff provided technical assistance nationwide to those seeking to develop materials to assist the consumer in understanding and using the new food labels.
Gina McNeal, head of FNIC's Food Labeling Information Center demonstrates new software to Naomi Kulakow (left), Coordinator, Food Labeling Education, FDA; Demetrius Henderson (center), FDA; and F. Edward Scarbrough (right), Director of FDA's Office of Food Labeling. Sandy Facinoli (standing, Coordinator of FNIC, hosted the visit to NAL. photo: Joe Swab
Farm Equipment Industry Helped
NAL's Technology Transfer Information Center (TTIC) launched a project to aid the agricultural equipment manufacturing industry.
During the summer, industry representatives met with technology transfer officials from the U.S. Army, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, NASA, and the Department of Energy to discuss technology-related needs. Problems related to six specific needs were discussed.
Potential solutions identified by these and other Federal, university and private sector laboratories will be documented in reports and distributed to manufacturing and supplier organizations and industries.
The objectives of this TTIC project are to assist an agricultural industry through technology transfer, and evaluate the process used to determine if it should be institutionalized within USDA.
Agreements Expand Rural Information Services
NAL's Rural Information Center (RIC) completed a busy year of interagency and cooperative agreements in 1993. Among the agreements were:
• NAL and the Office of Rural Health Policy of the Department of Health and Human Services renewed a 5-year agreement for RIC to continue operating the Rural Information Center Health Service (RICHS).
• The National Rural Studies Committee of Oregon State University agreed to fund a "Rural Studies Bibliography" and "The Directory of Rural Studies Scholars and Educators," publications to be revised by RIC.
• RIC will provide funds for the North Carolina Center for Rural Health Research to prepare rural health fact sheets on various topics, including physician retention and recruitment.
• The USDA Forest Service (FS) entered into an interagency agreement to help RIC provide rural information to FS employees.
• The Clarion University of Pennsylvania agreed to a new 5-year program in which it would continue to support RIC through an internship program and through co-sponsorship of rural development information conferences.
• RIC began loading the monthly newsletter of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation onto NAL's electronic bulletin board, ALF, at the request of the foundation. The foundation began publishing the newsletter in 1992 as "a monthly report for the economic development community."
NAL Linked with National Food Service Institute
Authorized under the Child Nutrition Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 1989, the National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) has a Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement with NAL linking the resources of NAL's Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) with NFSMI at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. During 1993, an NFSMI nutritionist was assigned to FNIC's offices and reference calls to the Institute's toll-free number were automatically switched to FNIC for response. NAL also provides document delivery services to NFSMI clientele.
U.S./Japan Exchange Aquaculture Info Through NAL
NAL's Aquaculture Information Center (AIC) coordinated an international effort to provide 163 documents on aquaculture to Japan for the August meeting of the United States/Japan Natural Resources—Aquaculture Panel. Materials were collected through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, comprised of 23 federal agencies. Japan provided 65 titles in return, which AIC added to the NAL collection of aquaculture materials.
AIC Adds Scarce Materials to NAL Collection
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Central Library, the Hamilton Library of the University of Hawaii and NAL's Aquaculture Information Center (AIC) began a program to add to the NAL collection scarce documents on Pacific aquaculture that have been abstracted in the Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries database. Participating with NOAA, AIC and the Hamilton Library were Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, the Pacific Aquaculture Program (PAP), the Pacific Islands Network (PIN) and NAL's Acquisitions/Serials and Cataloging Branches.
ATMIC Helps Establish Information Centers
Officials of several foreign countries visited NAL's Agricultural Trade and Marketing Information Center (ATMIC) in 1993 seeking information on establishing similar information centers in their countries.
Those visiting ATMIC included representatives from the Nicaraguan Ministry of Economic Development, the Embassy of Nicaragua, PROMEX-Argentina, the Embassy of Argentina, Harvest Foods LTD-Canada and the Danish Trade Office. Also visiting ATMIC were officials with the World Trade Counselors, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Wyoming International Trade Services.
These organizations all expressed an interest in developing information centers on agribusiness, economic development, international marketing and trade. ATMIC provided suggestions on where to get marketing resources in print and electronic format, technology application, outreach, networking and specialized services.
Biomonitoring Database Produced with NAL Help
In cooperation with NAL's Biotechnology Information Center (BIC), the National Biological Impact Assessment Program (NBIAP) at USDA's Cooperative State Research Service released a CD-ROM Biomonitoring Database. The database contains biosafety information on the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment.
Composed primarily of full-text environmental assessments produced by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the database is intended to provide scientific risk assessment information to the biotechnology research community, state and local governments, public interest groups and the interested public.
BIC assisted in collecting records for the database, in obtaining copyright clearances and in producing and distributing the CD-ROM.
NAL Material Used in Honoring Researcher
Material from the NAL collection is serving as the basis for a CD-ROM of research materials and personal memorabilia of Wilbur Olin Atwater, one of the first human nutritionists in the United States. The disc is being produced by the International Life Sciences Institute in cooperation with USDA. In 1893-94, Dr. Atwater was the first researcher to receive funds from USDA for human nutrition research.
NAL's Technology Transfer Information Center (TTIC) produced a publication designed to help businesses find Federal information more easily.
Produced jointly by TTIC and the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC), "Tapping Federal Technology" is a 220-page compendium of U.S. Government clearinghouses, information centers, catalogs, bulletin boards and electronic databases. Included with each entry are subject coverage, updating frequency, targeted users, means of access and costs associated with the services.
The publication was designed to guide industry, librarians, government representatives, extension agents and others to 156 sources of research information in federal departments and agencies. An index provides subject access to each agency's or department's sources.
Covers of publications discussed in preceding and following articles.
Aquaculture Bibliography Produced with ARS Field Office
NAL's Aquaculture Information Center (AIC), working with USDA's Agricultural Research Service field office in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, completed a bibliography on aquaculture. The publication, "Recirculation—Aeration Bibliography for Aquaculture," represents the first cooperative project AIC has done with a regional ARS facility. The 78-page publication contains literature citations through 1992 on water recirculation, aeration and filtration in various aquaculture systems. In addition to printed copies, AIC made the publication available on diskette.