Search

Nicolas Sayegh, Nishita Tripathi, Neeraj Agarwal, Umang Swami Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USACorrespondence: Umang Swami, Division of Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah (NCI-CCC), 2000 Circle of Hope Drive Research North Bldg Suite No. 2121, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA, Tel +1 801 587 4697, Email umang.swami@hci.utah.eduAbstract: Erdafitinib received accelerated approval on April 12, 2019, for patients with metastatic or locally advanced urothelial carcinoma with susceptible fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 3 or FGFR2 genetic alterations and who have progressed during or following at least one platinum-based chemotherapy. It thus became the first-ever targeted therapy to receive accelerated FDA approval for metastatic bladder cancer. In the BLC2001 trial, erdafitinib demonstrated an overall response rate of 40% in patients with urothelial carcinoma. Common adverse events include hyperphosphatemia and retinopathy and require regular monitoring. While the increase in serum phosphate levels has been determined to be a pharmacodynamic marker of response, further interrogation of other clinical, genomic, and transcriptomic biomarkers is warranted. Results of the ongoing Phase III trial, THOR, which is comparing erdafitinib to the standard of care (chemotherapy or immunotherapy), are expected to confer full approval. Establishing guidelines for optimal erdafitinib sequencing with immunotherapy and other approved targeted therapies (enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan) remains an unmet need.Keywords: advanced urothelial carcinoma, erdafitinib, fibroblast growth factor receptor, targeted therapy, patient selection

The essential oil of Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A.H. Gentry was characterized on the basis of its gas chromatographymass spectrometry analysis, physico-chemical, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. M. alliacea essential oil (MAEO) had a complex mixture of eight major and minor components. The main constituents were disulfide, di-2-propenyl (cas) 1, 2-bis(allyl) disulfane (66.90%), trisulfide, di-2-propenyl (23.81%), and 1-Propene, 3,3'-thiobis- (cas) 4-thia-1,6-heptadiene (4.44%). The optical rotation and refractive index of oil were found to be 4.083 and 1.337, respectively. The oil showed potent antioxidant activity in 2, 2'- diphenyl-1-picrylhydazyl, β-carotene, and ABTS assays. Oil showed fungitoxic activity against nine fungal species. The investigations confirm that MAEO has promising potential to be used as a biopesticide and as a preservative agent in food and pharmaceutical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the findings from a study on Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) predictions for Pathumthani province in 2028 and 2038. Utilizing Landsat satellite imagery data from 2013, 2018, and 2023, and employing the Cellular Authomata – Artificial Neural Network (CA-ANN) algorithm in MOLUSCE plugin in QGIS, the study simulated future LULC trends. The predictor variables used in the analysis are distance from main roads, distance sky train stations, distance from universities, and distance from markets. The overall accuracy and kappa coefficient of the prediction model validate its reliability for forecasting LULC changes. The results illustrate evolving urban landscapes and environmental dynamics, with vegetation predominating in the eastern and western regions of Pathumthani in 2028, while built-up areas concentrate along major transportation routes. By 2038, these trends persist, with notable expansion of built-up areas, particularly in Muang Pathumthani, Khlong Luang, and Lam Luk Ka districts. Significant urbanization is observed in Muang Pathumthani along the Chao Phraya River, driven by proximity to Nonthaburi. Lam Luk Ka experiences substantial development, supported by infrastructure and connectivity to Bangkok, while Thanyaburi sees urbanization along the Rangsit-Nakornnayok road. Khlong Luang emerges as an urban expansion hub, influenced by Highway No.1 and industrial estates. The study underscores the complex interplay of infrastructure, demographics, and environmental factors, emphasizing the need for sustainable planning to address future challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the influence of climate factors on malaria incidence in the Sundargarh district, Odisha, India. The WEKA machine learning tool was used with two classifier techniques, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) and J48, with three test options, 10-fold cross-validation, percentile split, and supplied test. A comparative analysis was carried out to ascertain the superior model among malaria prediction accuracy techniques in varying climate contexts. The results suggested that J48 had exhibited better skill than MLP with the 10-fold cross-validation method over the percentile split and supplied test options. J48 demonstrated less error (RMSE = 0.6), better kappa = 0.63, and higher accuracy = 0.71), suggesting it as most suitable model. Seasonal variation of temperature and humidity had a better association with malaria incidents than rainfall, and the performance was better during the monsoon and post-monsoon when the incidents are at the peak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delhi metropolitan area suffers from extreme haze during the post‐monsoon and winter season, impacting climate, public health, and economy. We used a high‐resolution time‐of‐flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR‐ToF‐AMS) and aethalometer at two urban locations in Delhi to capture non‐refractory PM2.5 (NR‐PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) during the post‐monsoon and winter season of 2019–2020. Four haze periods with high composition based‐PM2.5 (C‐PM2.5 = NR‐PM2.5 + BC) concentration and distinct chemical composition were identified, during all of which organics dominated but with varying contribution (∼[50%–70%] of C‐PM2.5). Biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) was dominant in all periods (∼[31%–45%] of OA), but the majority of it was highly aged ∼(45%–50%) with high O/C (0.71 and 0.46 at the two sites), formed most likely through rapid dark oxidation of freshly emitted and partially oxidized BBOA. High polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) signals in the fresh BBOA mass spectra suggest incomplete combustion activities such as open biomass burning emissions as major source. During an agricultural burning event in north‐western India, we estimated that ∼(44%–53%) of total C‐PM2.5 (combined contribution of aged BBOA and oxygenated OA) measured in Delhi was influenced by long‐range transported biomass burning emissions. During winter, secondary inorganics constituted a significant fraction apart from organics ∼(48%–55%), mainly in the form of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3; up to ∼[19%–25%] of C‐PM2.5) and ammonium sulfate (NH4SO4; up to ∼[27%–38%]). Enhanced formation of NH4NO3 and related‐secondary organic aerosol (SOA) were linked to nighttime oxidation of BBOA, while NH4SO4 and related‐SOA were linked to heterogeneous aqueous phase oxidation under high RH conditions (>90%). Plain Language Summary: During post‐monsoon and winter seasons, Delhi experiences high concentration of fine particles leading to haze events. To design targeted mitigation policies, an understanding of key factors responsible for haze events is needed. We used an advanced suite of instrumentation to capture temporal trends of real‐time particle chemical composition at two urban locations in Delhi. Using advanced receptor modelling and molecular level source signatures, the open burning of biomass material was estimated to be the largest contributor to haze events during post‐monsoon and winter haze events. The post‐monsoon haze pollution was largely affected by the aged biomass burning particles likely from the long‐range transport of agricultural residue burning emissions in the upwind states of Delhi. Winter haze episodes were also highly affected by biomass burning emissions, likely from the local burning of wood, coal and/or roadside trash for heating and/or cooking purposes. However, the winter haze particles contained significant aged inorganic material including ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride aerosol apart from aged organics. This study also suggests that the nighttime aging of biomass burning emissions contributed in the rapid formation of aged organic and inorganic particles, causing haze events. Key Points: Four haze periods with distinct PM2.5 chemical composition were identified during post‐monsoon and winter season in DelhiBiomass burning organic aerosol was dominant in all haze periods with the majority of it present in highly aged formOpen biomass burning emissions undergo rapid nighttime oxidation resulting in high yields of secondary organic and inorganics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the implementation of the Import Optimizer (IO) function for Florida Power and Light Company (FPL). The IO function utilizes both practical and reliable techniques to resolve the specific problem of optimizing the level of FPL active power imports. Incorporation of existing Advanced Application programs, such as Security Analysis, Dispatcher Power Flow, and Unit Economic Dispatch provides the basis for an automated Import Optimization that effectively helps to extend Security studies performed by Florida Power and Light System Operations.

Aim: Category A classified Bacillus anthracis is highly fatal pathogen that causes anthrax and creates challenges for global security and public health. In this study, development of a safe and ideal next‐generation subunit anthrax vaccine has been evaluated in mouse model. Method and Results: Protective antigen (PA) and BA3338, a surface layer homology (SLH) domain possessing protein were cloned, expressed in heterologous system and purified by IMAC. Recombinant PA and BA3338 with alum were administered in mouse alone or in combination. The humoral and cell‐mediated immune response was measured by ELISA and vaccinated animals were challenged with B. anthracis spores via intraperitoneal route. The circulating IgG antibody titre of anti‐PA and anti‐BA3338 was found significantly high in the first and second booster sera. A significant enhanced level of IL‐4, IFN‐γ and IL‐12 was observed in antigens stimulated supernatant of splenocytes of PA + BA3338 vaccinated animals. A combination of PA and BA3338 provided 80% protection against 20 LD50 lethal dose of B. anthracis spores. Conclusion: Both antigens induced admirable humoral and cellular immune response as well as protective efficacy against B. anthracis spores. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study has been evaluated for the first time using BA3338 as a vaccine candidate alone or in combination with well‐known anthrax vaccine candidate PA. The findings of this study demonstrated that BA3338 could be a co‐vaccine candidate for development of dual subunit vaccine against anthrax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacy of different novel insecticides as foliar application was studied against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt) and their effect on the predator of aphids Coccinella septumpunctata was also recorded at Pilibhit during 2017-18 and 2018-19. The insecticides thiamethoxam 12.6 + lambda cyhalothrin 9.5 ZC (100 g/ha), acephate 75 SP (625 g/ha), acetamiprid 20 SP (125 g/ha), thiamethoxam 25 WDG (250 g/ha), clothianidin 50 WDG (40 g/ha), imidacloprid 17.8 SL (150 ml/ha), and dinotefuran 20 SG (150 g/ha) were sprayed at normal recommended doses and a control plot was also maintained for comparison. Efficacy was assessed by counting the aphids and predators population and mortality in rapeseed mustard field plots. All tested insecticides performed better against aphid as compared to untreated plots. Dinotefuran proved as the best with 100 percent aphid population reduction followed by clothianidin, thiamethoxam + lambda cyhalothrin, acetamiprid, acephate, thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid with 100, 100, 100, 97.41, 97.14 and 97.16 percent reduction, respectively. In terms of safety for the predator, Coccinella septempunctata, the thiamethoxam + lambda cyhalothrin was found best as the coccinelids were increased by 14.13 percent in treated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological advancements in the field of chemical threat have made it possible to create extremely dangerous chemical warfare agents (CWA). Hence, the effective protection of personnel is very important in a chemical warfare scenario amidst the current climate of terrorism awareness. In particular, body protection plays a substantial role in the chemical defence considering the urgency of situation in the nuclear, biological and chemical environment. Activated carbon spheres (ACS) based permeable chemical protective clothing (coverall) was developed for protection against CWA. The adsorbent material i.e, ACS used in this protective clothing provided higher adsorption capacity (1029 mg/g in terms of iodine) and low thermal burden (34 °C WBGT index) compared to earlier indigenously developed NBC suit. This article focuses on the extensive evaluation of chemical protective clothing against sulfur mustard (HD), a CWA. The results revealed that the developed protective clothing provided more than 24 h protection against HD. This chemical protective suit is light weight (< 2.75 kg for XL size). It also has higher air permeability (> 30 cm3/s/cm2) as well as less water vapour resistance (< 9.6 m2Pa/W). With continued innovations in materials and attention to key challenges it is expected that advanced, multifunction chemical protective suit will play a pivotal role in the CWA protection scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the recent progress made toward development of a III-nitride based tunable hyperspectral detector pixel with the potential advantages of reduced hardware complexity and increased dynamic control on the detection parameters in the context of existing hyperspectral detection systems. We discuss the concept, experiments, and simulation of devices along with the different obstacles to be overcome before this technology can mature into a commercial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generative Adversarial Networks widely known as GANs, are deep learning models that has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years due to their promising nature. One of their major applications can be found in the healthcare sector for various purposes like image reconstruction, image enhancement, image segmentation, image processing, image analysis etc. The objective of this paper is to bring forward some of the recent research on the application of GANs in the health care domain during 2017 – 2022. A total of 168 papers were screened out of which 77 relevant to the present study were finalized for this study. Bibliometric analysis was also performed on these documents, to obtain an overall picture of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) in the healthcare domain. This analysis is expected to help the future researcher and developers in targeting the areas of the healthcare sector which are likely to grow in the coming future using GANs algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reduction of edge dislocations in the GaN layer on Si substrate by almost an order of magnitude to 8.0×107/cm2 and reduction in screw dislocations by a factor greater than 4 are achieved for the film grown on the Si (111) substrate engineered to have a polycrystalline defective layer at the AlN/Si interface. The formation of a polycrystalline defective layer at the AlN/Si interface by N+ ion implantation provides substrate conditions that result in a heteroepitaxial GaN film with much improved surface morphology and better crystal quality as compared to the film grown directly on AlN/Si. A mechanism of dislocation defect reduction in the epitaxial film is given based on the detailed study of AlN/Si interfaces as well as the evolution of the AlN buffer layer in the context of this substrate engineering technique, which shows partial decoupling of the III-nitride layers from the substrate to be responsible for the improved characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]