Effects of Different Nitrogen Fertilizers and Humic Acid On Wheat Crop Irrigated With Different Water Regime Using 15N

A field experiment was conducted to observe effects of water requirements and different fertilizers on wheat crop’s yield, production and N uptake. Data showed that dry matter yield of wheat grain was higher with Hu + AS (5.82 mt/ha) compared with applied water 100% ETC. Concerning the rate of water regime, the best significant grain yield of wheat was obtained with 100% ETc (4.23 mt/ha). Nitrogen derived from fertilizer Ndff% with 50% ETC of water was 28.41 and 27.28% for grain and straw, respectively. At 100% ETC of water the Ndff% was 30.16 and 27.75% for grain and straw, respectively. Nitrogen utilized by grains and straw was more efficient under treatment Hu + AS combined with 50% Etc, 100% Etc recording 15.6 and 32.23%, respectively. At 50% ETC of water requirements for wheat crop, higher N remained in 0 - 15, 15 - 30 and 30 - 45 cm soil depth were nearly closed to each other compared with the treatment made at 100% ETC of water requirements. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(2): 261-267, 2021 (June)

Awareness, Uptake and factors associated with NHIF uptake in Western Kenya: A case of 4 counties - Busia, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga and Siaya

Background Kenya is in the process of implementing universal health care whose success and sustainability will be determined by its funding mechanism and by uptake of National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) by its populace. Unfortunately, NHIF enrollment is currently voluntary hence geared to those in formal employment who represent only 16.4% of the population. To improve the voluntary uptake of the scheme, it is important to have increased awareness as well as implement strategies that address factors that currently affect NHIF uptake. Methods This was a cross sectional community-based survey conducted in Busia, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga and Siaya counties between October and December 2018. It utilized multistage stratified sampling technique. Interviewer assisted questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic, socio-economic, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) knowledge, NHIF awareness and uptake data. Descriptive statistical analysis and multiple logistic regression were conducted using STATA version 15. Results Out of a representative sample of 3597 participants interviewed, NHIF awareness was noted to be 81.5%, with low uptake in the four counties ranging between 21–25%. Being older than 69 years, having a low level of education and income status as well as lower health risk were significantly associated with low rates of NHIF uptake. Conclusion Despite high rates of NHIF awareness noted in this study, there is still very low uptake to this scheme in rural western Kenya especially among those with low socioeconomic status and risk of chronic illnesses. There is need for further qualitative studies to explore contextual factors affecting NHIF uptake.

NOVEL COMPOSITE OF PLASTER KILN DUST-Fe3O4 MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES AS SORBENT TO UPTAKE CADMIUM (II) IONS FROM CONTAMINATED WATER

This study was aimed to use composite magnetic plaster kiln dust (MPKD) as a novel low-cost adsorbent reused of by-product plaster kiln dust (PKD) that was considered a source of air pollution. The removal efficiency of cadmium (II) ions was studied as a function of pH (4-7), MPKD mass (0.5- 8 g/L), initial ion concentration (50- 350 mg/L), and shaking time (5- 180 min). The adsorption kinetics of the MPKD was detected as chemical sorption due to the experimental uptake data best fitted with the pseudo-second-order model, also the intraparticle diffusion of ions did not significantly exert effects on the adsorption. The maximum adsorption uptake was 48 mg/g depending on the Langmuir model. Compared with other adsorbents, the MPKD was considered a promising adsorbent in the field of water treatment.

Budget Impact Analysis of Biosimilar Products in Spain in the Period 2009–2019

Since the first biosimilar medicine, Omnitrope® (active substance somatropin) was approved in 2006, 53 biosimilars have been authorized in Spain. We estimate the budget impact of biosimilars in Spain from the perspective of the National Health System (NHS) over the period between 2009 and 2019. Drug acquisition costs considering commercial discounts at public procurement procedures (hospital tenders) and uptake data for both originator and biosimilar as actual units consumed by the NHS were the two variables considered. Two scenarios were compared: a scenario where no biosimilars are available and the biosimilar scenario where biosimilars are effectively marketed. All molecules exposed to biosimilar competition during this period were included in the analysis. The robustness of the model was tested by conducting multiple sensitivity analyses. From the payer perspective, it is estimated that the savings produced by the adoption of biosimilars would reach EUR 2306 million over 11 years corresponding to the cumulative savings from all biosimilars. Three molecules (infliximab, somatropin and epoetin) account for 60% of the savings. This study provides the first estimation of the financial impact of biosimilars in Spain, considering both the effect of discounts that manufacturers give to hospitals and the growing market share of biosimilars. We estimate that in our last year of data, 2019, the savings derived from the use of biosimilars relative total pharmaceutical spending in Spain is 3.92%. Although more research is needed, our evidence supports the case that biosimilars represent a great opportunity to the sustainability of the NHS through rationalizing pharmaceutical spending and that the full potential of biosimilar-savings has not been achieved yet, as there is a high variability in biosimilar uptake across autonomous regions.

Investigating Microplastic Presence Amongst Grey Seals (Halichoerus Grypus) of the North Sea

Plastic pollution is of increasing concern to marine ecosystems worldwide. Specifically, microplastics (<5mm) may interact with a variety of biota with potential to cause harm to organism health. Studies concerning microplastics are increasing, yet their occurrence within live marine mammals remains largely unexplored. Here, faecal samples collected from a haul-out site in the North Sea, were used to investigate microplastic pollution within grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). 71 microplastic particles, consisting of both fibres and fragments in a variety of colours and sizes, were identified across 66 scat subsamples analysed. This indicates that marine mammals are ingesting microplastics and that faecal material can be used to indirectly and humanely record microplastic uptake data in pinnipeds. Since the current paper is the first to document microplastic exposure amongst wild, living and free-ranging grey seals in the North Sea, further research is needed to begin to understand the biological significance of these findings.

Response of Pruning on Growth, Fruit Yield, Nutritional Quality and Nutrient Uptake of Two Okra Varieties (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Biotechnology Advanced Research Centre, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Garki-Abuja in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons to evaluate response of pruning on growth, fruit yield, nutritional quality and nutrient uptake of okra. The experiment had eight treatment combinations viz: Two okra varieties (Clemson spinless and Gungo Local) and four pruning rates (0, 1 stem, 2 stems and 3 stems), replicated three times. The experiment was factorial fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. Data were collected on number of leaves per plant, number of fruits, green fruit yield, nutritional quality and nutrient uptake. Data was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) M.STAT package and treatment means compared using least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. Pruning is beneficial to performance of okra. Plants with 2 stems pruning produced the highest fruit yield (11.60 t ha-1) in 2018 while control plots had the least values (1.80 t ha-1, 1.60 t ha-1) in 2017 and 2018, respectively. It could be concluded that 2 stems pruning increased fruit yield of okra and Clemson spinless performed better than Gungo Local variety and could be recommended for farmers within the study area.

Most (but not all) Anti-Vaccination Attitudes Increased Alongside the Occurrence and Persistence of COVID-19: A Snapshot of the Trends in the U.S.

A forthcoming vaccine may curb the COVID-19 pandemic; however, anti-vaccination attitudes may limit its uptake. Data collected from different samples in three time points prior to (n = 840) and four time points during (n = 1543) the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed to provide a snapshot of the trends in anti-vaccination attitudes related to the occurrence and persistence of COVID-19. The total sample (N = 2383) consisted of 38.8% female, 72.2% White/Caucasian, 12.50% Black/African American, 5.10 % Asian, 5.10% Hispanic/Latino participants, whose average age was 37.67 years old (SD = 11.24). Independent samples t-tests revealed that worries about unforeseen future effects, concerns about commercial profiteering, and preference for natural immunity were higher during COVID-19 than they were prior to COVID-19, all ts &gt; 15.00, ps &lt; .0001, ds = .61 - .73. Planned contrasts showed that the same three anti-vaccination attitudes increased linearly alongside the persistence of COVID-19, all ts &gt; 11.18, ps &lt; .0001, 2p = .08 - .09. However, mistrust of vaccine benefit was lower during COVID-19 than prior to COVID-19, t(2381) = -6.40, p &lt; .0001, d = .27; and it was relatively stable during the COVID-19 pandemic, t(1539) = -1.66, p = .10, 2p = .002. These results highlight the potential need to address specific anti-vaccination attitudes to promote the uptake of a COVID-19 vaccine. Limitations of the study are also discussed.

THER-08. SGT53 – A NOVEL p53 NANOMEDICINE INDUCES SIGNIFICANT RESPONSES IN CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT MEDULLOBLASTOMA AND CHOROID PLEXUS CARCINOMA: A REPORT OF TWO CASES

BACKGROUND Abnormal p53 function commonly defines high-risk CNS tumors, but functional restoration has eluded investigators. SGT-53 is a targeted nanomedicine encapsulating a plasmid DNA encoding wild-type human p53 with a transferrin receptor-targeting scFv on the nanocomplex surface resulting in efficient delivery across the BBB and robust tumor binding/uptake. Data generated by collaborators demonstrated synergy with irradiation and chemotherapy. REPORT: Two children with recurrent CNS malignancies have been treated with SGT-53, each receiving greater than 50 infusions in combination with irradiation and chemotherapy with no grade 3/4 AEs positively attributed to SGT-53. The first was an 11yo male with recurrent disseminated p53+ SHH medulloblastoma, with bulky intracranial/thoracolumbar disease. He received irradiation followed by biweekly doses of SGT-53 and temozolomide, bevacizumab and irinotecan given one week out of four. This patient exhibited a complete response of all disease on his first follow-up scan 8 weeks after therapy initiation and remained in remission for 8 months. The second patient was a 3yo male with disseminated recurrent choroid plexus carcinoma. He received CSI with SGT-53, followed by SGT-53, temozolomide and irinotecan as described above, again with no related grade 3/4 AEs. He experienced a partial response to all sites of disease and completed therapy after six months, progressing 7.8 months after initiating treatment. CONCLUSIONS SGT-53 was well tolerated in two heavily-pretreated patients despite aggressive combinatorial strategies. The majority of the AEs experienced were mild and manageable. Each patient had significant responses, suggesting that SGT-53 should be evaluated in a clinical trial for similar patients.

KARAKTERISTIK MEMBRAN KOMPOSIT BERBASIS KITOSAN/PVA TERMODIFIKASI LEMPUNG DARI BABAKAN MADANG BOGOR

The use of natural polymers as membranes of DMFC from chitosan was developed because it is more environmentally friendly and has high thermal stability, but the proton conductivity is low. The Clay from Babakan Madang, which contained of SiO2 50% was expected to increase proton conductivity and improve the characteristics of the polymer membrane. Chitosan / PVA based membrane synthesis was carried out by adding clay weight variations of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 g. The spectra of membranes investigated by FT-IR confirmed the presence of functional groups from chitosan/PVA/clay. Morphological analysis using SEM showed that there were granules of clay dispersed on the membrane. The determination of membran conductivity using EIS showed the highest proton conductivity value was a membrane with the addition of 0.6 g clay, it was 6.96 x 10-7 S / cm. The membrane water swelling produced on the three membranes tended to be high, with the smallest value of 56.69% on the membrane with the addition of 0.9 grams of clay. The methanol uptake data found that the conductivity of membrane with the addition of 0.6 grams of clay was 346.11%.

The Business Case for a Journey Planning and Ticketing App—Comparison between a Simulation Analysis and Real-World Data

Successful development of “Mobility-as-a-Service” (MaaS) schemes could be transformative to our transport systems and critical for achieving sustainable cities. There are high hopes for mobile phone applications that offer both journey planning and ticketing across all the available transport modes, but these are in their infancy, with little understanding of the correct approach to business models and governance. In this study, we develop a system dynamics diffusion model that represents the uptake of such an app, based on one developed and released in West Yorkshire, UK. We perform sensitivity and uncertainty tests on user uptake and app operating profitability, and analyse these in three key areas of marketing, competition, and costs. Comparison to early uptake data is included to demonstrate accuracy of model behaviour and would suggest market failure by month 12 without stronger marketing, even if additional tickets and functions are offered. In response to this, we offer further insights on the need for direct targeted marketing to ensure mass market adoption, the importance of understanding a realistic potential adopter pool, the awareness of competing apps, and the high uncertainty that exists in this market.