Yield Reductions of Wheat Cultivar Obora (UTIQUE96/FLAG-1) due to Russian Wheat Aphid (Diuraphis noxia) Infestation under Field Conditions at Selected Districts of West Showa Zone, Ethiopia

Background: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop as being consumed as staple food in the world as well as in Ethiopia. The production of wheat in Ethiopia decreased due to the incidence of insect pests. Out of insects’ pests the Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) is the recent one that causes yield loss either directly or indirectly. Methods: The experiment was carried out at selected districts of West Showa zone, Ethiopia during off cropping season 2019 to evaluate the yield reduction in wheat crop due to the invasion of Russian wheat aphids. Malamar, Dimethoate, neem seeds, leaves, Beaveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae were used in form of spray. Result: However, Malamar and Dimethoate highly significantly lowered the population of Diuraphis noxia. The combination of Beaveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopleae significantly lowered the population of Russian wheat aphid. The combination of Neem leaf and Neem seeds, as well as Beaveria bassiana, proved to be effective against Russian wheat aphid yet they were protected and sound against the environments. Malamar showed the maximum decrease in Diuraphis noxia populations followed by Dimethoate, the combination of Beaveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopleae.

Evaluation of Heat Decarbonization Strategies and Their Impact on the Irish Gas Network

Decarbonization of the heating sector is essential to meet the ambitious goals of the Paris Climate Agreement for 2050. However, poorly insulated buildings and industrial processes with high and intermittent heating demand will still require traditional boilers that burn fuel to avoid excessive burden on electrical networks. Therefore, it is important to assess the impact of residential, commercial, and industrial heat decarbonization strategies on the distribution and transmission gas networks. Using building energy models in EnergyPlus, the progressive decarbonization of gas-fueled heating was investigated by increasing insulation in buildings and increasing the efficiency of gas boilers. Industrial heat decarbonization was evaluated through a progressive move to lower-carbon fuel sources using MATLAB. The results indicated a maximum decrease of 19.9% in natural gas utilization due to the buildings’ thermal retrofits. This, coupled with a move toward the electrification of heat, will reduce volumes of gas being transported through the distribution gas network. However, the decarbonization of the industrial heat demand with hydrogen could result in up to a 380% increase in volumetric flow rate through the transmission network. A comparison between the decarbonization of domestic heating through gas and electrical heating is also carried out. The results indicated that gas networks can continue to play an essential role in the decarbonized energy systems of the future.

Updated total ozone climate normals over the territory of Ukraine

The study presents the results of analysis of spatiotemporal distribution of updated total ozone climate normals for the period of 1991–2020. It analyzes the changes since the last total ozone climate normals estimate conducted for the period of 1981–2010. The daily data retrieved using TOMS and OMI satellite instruments over the territory of Ukraine allowed calculation of multiyear average values, climate normals for each day of the year, amplitudes, phases and determination coefficients for total ozone seasonal variations. Use of the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data allowed establishment of the relation between total ozone and meridional wind changes in the lower stratosphere. The research shows the existence of the regions with higher/lower total ozone content that are not in line with the characteristics of latitudinal distribution. They are formed due to more frequent recurrence of air advection with ozone content that is not typical for the Ukrainian territory, mostly from January to March. The study describes a typical temporal distribution of the total ozone climate normals varying from 285 to 375 Dobson units (D.u.) and analyzes the statistic patterns of deviations distribution and recurrence of extremely high/low total ozone content. The paper emphasizes a small variation of total ozone over the territory of Ukraine. The authors also researched the features of spatial distribution of seasonal variation amplitudes varying within the range of 42–46 D.u. and the specifics of maximum values periods observed from 19 to 30 of March, depending on a region. It was established that, since the previous update of the climate normals, the total ozone decreased for all months with its maximum decrease of about 8 D.u. in winter. However, no increase of recurrence of ultraviolet radiation high levels was observed. Total ozone changes are mainly associated with shifts of meridional wind values to negative ones. This process indicates the increase of recurrence of air advection from the north. The paper also emphasizes the complexness of total ozone changes during the period of research and the lack of consistency of such changes with the circulation factor of summer months.

Sunshine duration climatology and trends in association with other climatic factors over India for 1970-2006

Changes in sunshine duration in association with total cloud amount, rainy days and good visibility days over India were examined for 1970-2006. Climatologically, annual total sunshine duration over west Rajasthan and adjoining Gujarat is more than 3100 hours which is ideal for harnessing solar energy over these regions. The trend analysis indicates significant decrease in sunshine duration over the country for all months (except June) and the maximum decrease has taken place in January (-0.44 hour/decade) followed by December (-0.39 hour/decade). Seasonally, decline in sunshine hours is highest in winter and post monsoon (4% per decade) and lowest in monsoon (3% per decade). Decadal variations indicate maximum decrease in sunshine over the Indo-Gangetic plains and south peninsula during 1990-1999. Spatially, the decreasing trends in sunshine hours are highest in Indo-Gangetic plains and south peninsula while regions over Rajasthan and Gujarat have lowest decrease. Out of 40 stations under study, the maximum decrease in sunshine has occurred at New Delhi (winter at 13% per decade and post monsoon at 10% per decade) and Varanasi (summer and monsoon at 7% per decade). Correlation analysis of sunshine duration with total cloud amount, rainy days and good visibility days indicates regional and seasonal variations in factors explaining the long term trends in sunshine duration over the country.

ADG153, an Anti-CD47 Monoclonal Antibody Prodrug, Has Strong In Vivo Anti-Tumor Activity, Minimal RBC-Related and Antigen Sink Liabilities, and Extended Half Life in Comparison with Benchmark Clinical Antibodies of the Same IgG Subclass

Binding of the CD47 membrane protein, overexpressed on many tumor types, to the SIRPα inhibitory receptor on myeloid cells results in the inhibition of the activation of macrophages and other phagocytes against tumors. Therapies targeting the CD47/SIRPα axis have shown success in various preclinical models and are now in clinical trials for both solid and hematologic malignancies. Although anti-CD47 therapies have demonstrated promising clinical activities, the expression of CD47 on many different normal human cell types, including red blood cells (RBCs), serves as a large antigen sink for anti-CD47 antibodies. Blocking CD47 on RBCs, such as by magrolimab (Hu5F9), has led to transient anemia, requiring step-up dosing in the clinic. To circumvent these challenges, we developed ADG153, a fully human anti-CD47 SAFEbody masked by conditionally activable peptides. In normal tissues, the SAFEbody masking moiety can function to block ADG153 from binding to CD47; however, in an activable condition such as the tumor microenvironment where protease activity has been reported to be elevated, the masked antibody can be activated, enabling the activated ADG153 antibody to bind to and inhibit CD47 function on tumor cells. For head-to-head comparisons, in vitro studies were performed to compare the activity of Hu5F9 and unmasked ADG153 parental antibody of the IgG4 isotype. Both antibodies (1) blocked human SIRPα from binding to human CD47, (2) had similar potencies for binding to human CD47 protein, CD47-positive tumor cell lines, and human RBCs, and (3) induced macrophage phagocytosis. In contrast, the masked ADG153 SAFEbody demonstrated significantly reduced activities (>450-fold) in the same in vitro assays, showing strong masking efficiencies. Unlike Hu5F9, both the ADG153 parental and SAFEbody molecules did not cause in vitro human RBC hemagglutination. Although the ADG153 SAFEbody had significantly reduced binding to CD47 in vitro as expected, it demonstrated strong anti-tumor activity in in vivo mouse tumor models. In both the disseminated and subcutaneous CD47-positive Raji tumor models, the ADG153 SAFEbody of the IgG4 isotype showed similar anti-tumor activities to Hu5F9. However, in exploratory toxicology studies in cynomolgus monkeys, the ADG153 SAFEbody showed significantly less decreases than Hu5F9 in RBCs, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Hu5F9 at 10 mg/kg caused ~49% maximum decrease in RBCs, while ADG153 SAFEbody at 60 mg/kg showed ~23% maximum decrease in RBCs (Panel A). Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of single intravenous dose ADG153 SAFEbody compared to Hu5F9 in monkeys demonstrated ~8-fold longer apparent half-life and ~9-fold higher Area Under the Curve at 10 mg/kg (Panel B). Collectively, ADG153 SAFEbody is a differentiated anti-CD47 antibody that has strong in vivo anti-tumor activity with reduced RBC-related and antigen sink liabilities and favorable PK properties. This preclinical profile with an enhanced therapeutic index provides a strong rationale for advancing ADG153 SAFEbody into clinical development. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Cai: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Nguyen: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Sparcbio, LLC: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Zheng: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Shi: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Liu: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Li: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Du: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Luo: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Xu: Adagene Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Bristol Myers Squibb: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months.

The effect of the initial swirl of the supersonic flow of humid air on the adiabatic wall temperature

The paper presents the results of measuring the adiabatic wall temperature of an axisymmetric channel during acceleration of the moist air flow in it to supersonic speed. The initial swirl was imparted to the flow (swirling parameter S = 0.5, 1.0, 2.5). The relative initial humidity (RH) of the flow varied in the range of 10 ÷ 90%. When the flow was accelerated to supersonic speeds, part of the moisture condensed, which influenced the wall temperature. It is shown experimentally that with an increase in the initial moisture content of the flow to certain values, the distribution of the wall temperature for a flow without initial swirl (S = 0) and with swirl with S = 0.5, 1.0 practically coincide. However, from a certain value of RH, the wall temperature in the case of a swirling flow decreases in comparison with a flow without swirling. The maximum decrease in the wall temperature was achieved at RH = 90%. An increase in the initial swirl to S = 2.5 led to a greater decrease in the wall temperature, while the mass air flow through the channel decreased by 26% at an identical pressure drop.

Effect of mineral fertilizers on productivity and quality of yellow lupine cultivated on soddy-podzolic sandy soil

The article presents the results of investigations carried out in a field experiment on sod-podzolic sandy soil contaminated with radionuclides, the efficiency of influence of doses and kinds of potassium fertilizers on the yield, 137Cs accumulation and fodder value of yellow lupine was studied. The carried out researches showed that the optimum doses of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers for getting an increased yield of green mass is P45K150, in both studied types of potassium fertilizers. To get the maximum grain yield of lupine, the optimal doses of mineral fertilizers are P45K150 and P45K210. Analyzing the effect of different types of potassium fertilizers on the formation of yellow lupine grain yield, it can be noted that the use of potassium fertilizer - Kalimag, the yield was higher than that of potassium chloride. To decrease accumulation of 137Cs in lupine green mass below permissible level, the doses of mineral fertilizers shouldn’t be less than P45K150. Maximum decrease of radionuclides in the grain was noted in the variant P45K210 (Kmg).

Role of Atlantic SST in the Recent ENSO Predictability Change in NMME Model Hindcasts

The present study analyses the possible change in the seasonal prediction skill of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in association with the reported climate modification in the tropical Pacific during the early 21st century. The hindcasts of nine models that participated in the National Multimodel Ensemble Project (NMME) are used for the analysis. Both the boreal summer (JJAS) and winter (DJF) seasons ENSO indices from 4 months and 1-month lead for the period 1981-2018/19 are studied. The analysis shows that all the models have reduced interannual variability as observations for both seasons. There is not much skill (both actual and potential) difference for DJF season for all the models for both the lead times. Summer skill loss for Feb IC is more for models such as CanSIPv2, CCSM3 and NEMO, while it is minimum for CCSM4. There is an increase of skill for Feb IC hindcasts for three GFDL models for JJAS season. Most of the models failed to simulate the ENSO events during the second period. The summer season ENSO pattern in the recent period are influenced by spring time north Atlantic SST anomalies. The models with maximum decrease of skill after 2000 fail to simulate the tropical Atlantic SST anomalies during the initialization months and also the summer season SST anomalies induced by these SST anomalies. The models with better or close to observed patterns with Atlantic SST induced ENSO patterns are only able to maintain the same skill as previous decades.

Phase Wise Variation of Criteria Pollutants across India during COVID-19 Lockdown

The COVID-19 epidemic forced many countries around the world to lockdown completely. This occlusion influenced the atmospheric composition positively due to reduced anthropogenic activities. Recently, many studies across India have shown how the COVID-19 lockdown has affected air quality in different cities. However, these studies did not examine the phased percentage variation in air pollutant concentrations across different states of India. In this study, percentage variation in the concentration of five criteria pollutant, PM10, PM2.5, NO2, CO and Ozone were studied for 13 states across India during four phases of COVID-19 lockdown. A significant decrease in air pollutant levels was observed in all four phases, with phase 1 and phase 2 reporting a maximum decrease. PM10 and PM2.5, CO and NO2 showed a decrease in concentration in all states. Ozone showed a mixed response, with both increase and decrease recorded across states. During the COVID-19 lockdown period in India, AOD levels were reduced by 10.25%. This study will certainly help regulators set the guidelines and mitigation measures for appropriate control of air pollutants in different states in future.

Effect of Lockdown on Pollutant Levels in the Delhi Megacity: Role of Local Emission Sources and Chemical Lifetimes

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changed emission regimes all over the world. India also imposed complete lockdown on all modes of travel and industrial activities for about 2 months from 25-March-2020 and later unlocked these activities in a phased manner. Here, we study signatures of emissions changes on levels of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols contributing to air pollution over multiple sites in India’s capital Delhi covering various lockdown and unlock phases using satellite data and in-situ observations. The resulting changes in the levels of these species were compared with respect to their average of 2015–2019 to attribute for year to year and seasonal changes. A clear impact of lockdown was observed for AOD, PM, NO2, CO, and SO2 as a result of emission changes, while changed precursor levels led to a change in O3 chemical regimes impacting its concentrations. A detailed analysis of FLEXPART trajectories revealed increased PM levels over Delhi in north-westerly air masses sourced to Punjab region all the way up to Pakistan. Changes in aerosols and NO2 were not only restricted to the surface but transcended the total tropospheric column. The maximum decrease in PM, NO2, CO, and SO2 was observed during the month of total lockdown in April. The lockdown impact varied with species e.g., PM10 and PM2.5 as well as locations even within the periphery of Delhi. While surface level aerosols and NO2 showed significant and almost similar changes, AOD showed much lower decrease than tropospheric column NO2.