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Using an age-structured process-based simulation model for diamondback moth (DBM), we model the population dynamics of this major Brassica pest using the cropping practices and climate of Guangdong, China. The model simulates two interacting sub-populations (demes), each representing a short season crop. The simulated DBM abundance, and hence pest problems, depend on planting regime, crop hygiene and biological control. A continuous supply of hosts, a low proportion of crop harvested and long residue times between harvest and replanting each exacerbate pest levels. Biological control provided by a larval parasitoid can reduce pest problems, but not eliminate them when climate is suitable for DBM and under certain planting practices. The classic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) method of insecticide application, when pest threshold is reached, proved effective and halved the number of insecticide sprays when compared with the typical practice of weekly insecticide application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe Typhoon Koinu passed south of Hong Kong on 8 and 9 October 2023, triggering the issuance of the Increasing Gale or Storm Signal No. 9, the second highest tropical cyclone (TC) warning signal in Hong Kong. Koinu was a difficult case for TC warning service due to its compact size and rather erratic movement over the coastal waters of Guangdong. To monitor Koinu's movement and wind structure, the Hong Kong Observatory utilized various observational platforms, including meteorological aircraft, ocean radar, and synthetic aperture radar on polar orbiting satellites. The paper presents major observations derived from these measurements. The aircraft probe and dropsonde data suggested boundary layer inflow, warm core structure, eyewall updraft, and high turbulence in the eyewall of the typhoon. The weather radar observations indicated the occurrence of a waterspout in the vicinity of the typhoon. Additionally, the study highlights the forecasting performance of the AI‐based Pangu‐Weather model, which could outperform the conventional global numerical weather prediction models in forecasting TC track in the region. The documentation of these observations aims to provide valuable references for weather forecasters and stimulate further research on forecasting this type of tropical cyclone. Key Points: Observations from meteorological aircraft, ocean radar, and synthetic aperture radar show the structure of Severe Typhoon KoinuWeather radar observations suggest the occurrence of a waterspout in the vicinity of KoinuAI‐based Pangu‐Weather model could outperform the conventional global numerical weather prediction models in forecasting Koinu's track [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field trial to examine growth and wound healing of pruned Corymbia torelliana was established in a 40-month-old plantation in western Guangdong, China. It included: (1) pruning all branches up to stem diameters of 5, 6, 7 or 8 cm, (2) wound protection with wax or paint and (3) a control with no pruning. Measurements of growth and wound occlusion taken at various intervals up to 12 months after pruning showed that pruning generally impeded height growth, promoted diameter at breast height (dbh) growth and slightly increased taper. The optimal pruning intensity for tree growth was pruning up to stem diameter of 8 cm. Lower wound occlusion rates occurred in heavier pruning intensities. The optimal intensity for rapid wound occlusion was pruning up to stem diameter of 7 or 8 cm. Paint resulted in better occlusion than wax. The fastest wound occlusion occurred in stem section of height 2.51 to 5.35 m above the ground. Rate of wound occlusion up to 12 months showed correlations with dbh increment, initial wound size and pruning intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shawan River will be the focal point in the development of the Panyu District, the southernmost district of Guangzhou City in the Guangdong Province of South China. In this research, through the use of two scenarios, the future water quality of the Shawan River was predicted with relation to changes in the water quantity utilized to fuel industrial and domestic development. The worst-case scenario used, simulated the situation if no wastewater treatment was employed, and the best-case scenario simulated the situation if 90% of the pollution load was removed. The period of simulation was for the years 2020 and 2050. Three flowrates were used in the evaluation, those of: the 90% probability of the month of lowest flow (37.2 m³/s); and the range of flowrates within the low flow period, that is, the dry season from November to February (307 and 432 m³/s). Subsequently, two countermeasures (industrial and domestic water savings) -- sustainable initiatives -- were nested within the two scenarios to ascertain improvements in water quality as a direct result of reduction in water quantity used. The industrial water saving countermeasure showed the greatest improvement in water quality. For the 90% probability of lowest flow for the worst-case scenario, this countermeasure equated to a 63% decrease in BOD. For the low flow period flowrates the background concentration of pollutants was more influential than improvements imparted by the countermeasures to the future predicted water quality. It was recommended that industrial countermeasures be used that take into account water saving, water recycling, the use of brackish water for cooling, and the implementation of economic pricing initiatives. Also that inter-district governmental policy initiatives be introduced to prevent upstream pollution from influencing downstream proposals, further enhancing sustainable water management of the Shawan River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Individual patient data from two multicentre, randomised trials comparing atezolizumab with docetaxel in previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were analyzed to identify any preferable therapeutic approaches for patient subsets stratified by EGFR mutation status. Methods We pooled 1,137 patients from the phase II POPLAR trial (NCT01903993) and the phase III OAK trial (NCT02008227). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either atezolizumab or docetaxel and were analyzed based on stratification of EGFR mutation status. We built a novel algorithm integrating the blood-based tumor mutation burden and the ctDNA maximum somatic allele frequency (bTMB-MSAF score) and developed a novel clinicopathologic-genomic nomogram to predict individual survival. Results In the whole intention-to-treat population, OS was significantly longer with atezolizumab than with docetaxel (hazard ratio [HR] 0.72, P < 0.001). Among patients without EGFR or ALK mutations, overall survival (OS) was significantly longer with atezolizumab than with docetaxel (HR 0.67; P < 0.001); patients with a bTMB-MSAF score<20 showed improvement in OS (HR 0.56; P < 0.001) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.74; P = 0.0023), and these patients who concurrently had programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressing on over 50% tumor cells or over 10% of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TC3 or IC3) had the greatest OS improvements (HR 0.44; P = 0.007) and promising PFS benefits (HR 0.54; P = 0.019). EGFR mutant patients could not gain significant OS or PFS benefits from atezolizumab over docetaxel, irrespective of PD-L1 expression and bTMB-MSAF score. Patients with low-risk scores had longer OS (HR 0.17; P < 0.001; AUC=0.912 for 3-year OS) than patients with high-risk scores classified by the nomogram. Conclusions Atezolizumab showed better OS and PFS than docetaxel in previously treated EGFR wild-type NSCLC patients with a bTMB-MSAF score < 20, especially in those with PD-L1 expression of TC3 or IC3. Our clinicopathologic-genomic nomogram is effective in predicting survival of NSCLC patients undergoing atezolizumab. Clinical trial identification NCT01903993 and NCT02008227. Legal entity responsible for the study Herui Yao. Funding Herui Yao is funded by the National Science and Technology Major Project under Grant [2020ZX09201021]; National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant [81372819, 81572596, U1601223]; Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province under Grant [2017A030313828]; and Guangzhou Science and Technology Program under Grant [201704020131]. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]