Development Authority Research Articles

Safety and immunogenicity of a variant-adapted SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein vaccine with AS03 adjuvant as a booster in adults primed with authorized vaccines: a phase 3, parallel-group study

In a parallel-group, international, phase 3 study (ClinicalTrials.govNCT04762680), we evaluated prototype (D614) and Beta (B.1.351) variant recombinant spike protein booster vaccines with AS03-adjuvant (CoV2 preS dTM-AS03). Adults, previously primed with mRNA (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273), adenovirus-vectored (Ad26.CoV2.S, ChAdOx1nCoV-19) or protein (CoV2 preS dTM-AS03 [monovalent D614; MV(D614)]) vaccines were enrolled between 29 July 2021 and 22 February 2022. Participants were stratified by age (18-55 and≥56 years) and received one of the following CoV2 preS dTM-AS03 booster formulations: MV(D614) (n=1285), MV(B.1.351) (n=707) or bivalent D614+B.1.351 (BiV; n=625). Unvaccinated adults who tested negative on a SARS-CoV-2 rapid diagnostic test (control group, n=479) received two primary doses, 21 days apart, of MV(D614). Anti-D614G and anti-B.1.351 antibodies were evaluated using validated pseudovirus (lentivirus) neutralization (PsVN) assay 14 days post-booster (day [D]15) in 18-55-year-old BNT162b2-primed participants and compared with those pre-booster (D1) and on D36 in 18-55-year-old controls (primary immunogenicity endpoints). PsVN titers to Omicron BA.1, BA.2 and BA.4/5 subvariants were also evaluated. Safety was evaluated over a 12-month follow-up period. Planned interim analyses are presented up to 14 days post-last vaccination for immunogenicity and over a median duration of 5 months for safety. All three boosters elicited robust anti-D614G or -B.1.351 PsVN responses for mRNA, adenovirus-vectored and protein vaccine-primed groups. Among BNT162b2-primed adults (18-55 years), geometric means of the individual post-booster versus pre-booster titer ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) were: for MV (D614), 23.37 (18.58-29.38) (anti-D614G); for MV(B.1.351), 35.41 (26.71-46.95) (anti-B.1.351); and for BiV, 14.39 (11.39-18.28) (anti-D614G) and 34.18 (25.84-45.22 (anti-B.1.351). GMT ratios (98.3% CI) versus post-primary vaccination GMTs in controls, were: for MV(D614) booster, 2.16 (1.69; 2.75) [anti-D614G]; for MV(B.1.351), 1.96 (1.54; 2.50) [anti-B.1.351]; and for BiV, 2.34 (1.84; 2.96) [anti-D614G] and 1.39 (1.09; 1.77) [anti-B.1.351]. All booster formulations elicited cross-neutralizing antibodies against Omicron BA.2 (across priming vaccine subgroups), Omicron BA.1 (BNT162b2-primed participants) and Omicron BA.4/5 (BNT162b2-primed participants and MV D614-primed participants). Similar patterns in antibody responses were observed for participants aged ≥56 years. Reactogenicity tended to be transient and mild-to-moderate severity in all booster groups. No safety concerns were identified. CoV2 preS dTM-AS03 boosters demonstrated acceptable safety and elicited robust neutralizing antibodies against multiple variants, regardless of priming vaccine. Sanofi and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

Growth and Development of Islam in Sumatra (Literature Review on the 3 Islamic Kingdoms in Sumatra)

<p><em>This research aims to understand the early introduction of Islam to Sumatra and the Islamic kingdoms in the region by examining the history of religious and governmental development in the area. The research utilizes a combination of literature review and historical analysis approaches. The findings indicate that 1) Islam has been present in this region since an early period. Muslim traders, preachers, and religious teachers from various regions such as Arabia, India, Persia, and China played a crucial role in spreading Islam in Sumatra. The Islamic kingdoms of Samudera Pasai, Aceh, and Minangkabau serve as evidence of the significant development of Islam in the region. 2) The history of Islamic development during the Islamic kingdoms in Sumatra is as follows: a) During the reign of Samudera Pasai, the kingdom became a center for Islamic studies and a gathering place for scholars from various Islamic countries to discuss religious and worldly matters. b) The Aceh Darussalam Kingdom became a center for the development of Islam in Indonesia during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda. In Aceh, the Baiturrahman Mosque, places of worship, and Islamic study institutions were built. c) During the era of the Minangkabau Islamic Kingdom, many aspects of customary practices that contradicted Islamic teachings were gradually eliminated, and the fundamental rules of customs were replaced with Islamic principles. The famous Minangkabau adage, "Adat basandi syarak, syarak basandi Kitabullah," means that Minangkabau customs are based on Islam, which in turn is based on the Quran and Hadith.</em></p>

Adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices by Charland Farmers in Charfasson, Bangladesh

The study was conducted in Charfasson upazila of Bangladesh to assess the farmers’ perception on climate change, adoption of climate smart agricultural (CSA) practices, and food security condition. The primary data were collected from 120 sample respondents through face to face interview using a pretested interview schedule. Findings revealed that the farmers of Charland exhibited extensive individual disparities in terms of their socioeconomic circumstances. Respondents identified cyclones, storm surges, sea level rise, salinity intrusion, erosion, and drought as the most significant climatic catastrophes threatening agricultural production. In order to cope with the climate change effects, respondent adopted different CSA practices such as saline tolerant rice variety, raised seedbed, planting large size amon rice seedlings, sorjan system, agroforestry, bottle nut, low lift pump, pheromone traps, urea deep placement, mulching, seed storage, napier grass as fodder along roadside/ails, flood resistant crops, drought resistant crop varieties, organic fertilizer, pulses, sunflower, soybean, and watermelon production, respectively. Even though very few people in the study area can't afford to eat a regular meal, there is a severe lack of sufficient nutritious foods and dietary diversity. In the event of a sudden cyclone or storm surge, people are more concerned about the availability of food as they are required to evacuate to safety in shelter centers. Since rice and vegetable cultivations are major farming practices, good agricultural practices should be ensured to make these farming more climate smart and sustainable. In addition, the government's development planning can urgently include coastal embankment or dam construction and deep irrigation in coastal areas to make agricultural farming profitable and sustain food security.

62 Organizations Urge the Lockport, NY, Industrial Development Authority to Reject Public Subsidies for New Polyvinyl Chloride Plastics Facility

Beyond Plastics announced on June 29,2023, that it joined 61 organizations in calling for the Lockport, New York, Industrial Development Agency Board to deny a plastic company's request for public subsidies to build a new facility in Lockport. The facility would be SRI CV Plastics’ first production facility in the U.S. and would manufacture single-use disposable plastic packaging and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plastic pipes.

Terrorism Definiens in Terrorism Insurance

The terrorism insurance market is a constantly growing industry as a result of the rise in terrorism and associated violence around the world. This trend has captured the attention of the Indian insurance sector as well. More and more people, companies, and organizations are getting insurance to protect themselves in case a terrorist attack occurs in the future. However, what exactly is terrorism insurance? Is it given under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2008 or any other related and applicable national or state legislation formulated? Terrorism insurance offers coverage for damages resulting from the aforementioned terrorist acts or guarantees to hold the insurer harmless in the event of such losses. The Indian Market Terrorism Risk Insurance Pool, which is managed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, is now used by general insurers to offer property insurance. As foreign re-insurers withdrew their terrorist coverage following the 9/11 attacks in the United States of America, general insurers took the initiative to create the pool in April 2002. The cost of terrorism insurance, according to insurers, has decreased recently because there haven’t been any significant losses in the pool. The pool’s capacity has increased to 4,500 crore. But, the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and London as well as the ongoing enemy infiltration over our borders have stoked panic, leading to a rise in terrorism insurance in India. Despite the pool taking advantage of this fear, there is no legal framework in place to control it. While the United States and other nations have laws covering similar matters, this research study examines whether India also needs such legislation

Komunikasi Politik Kyai dalam Pengembangan Pesantren (Studi Analisis Terhadap Pondok Pesantren Sunan Drajat Lamongan)

Kyai is a very interesting figure in Islam. His charisma is huge in the eyes of the public. Kyai influence in almost all fields. The magnitude of this influence makes many political actors, structural officials, businessmen and Muslims who are in the social environment of the kyai. So often, state officials approach the kyai for the sake of harmonization of the government's development policies. It is from here that the kyai get feedback in the form of resources that can be transformed into the internal of the Islamic boarding schools as initial capital for the development of the pesantren. To make it happen, the kyai do it with a political communication approach to all the ranks under him.
 This study was directed at the Sunan Drajat Islamic Boarding School, Lamongan, East Java by analyzing and describing field findings. Research subjects were selected based on purposive testing. Kyai who are the subject of this research are those who are actively involved in developing pesantren. The consequences of this study show that political communication carried out by kyai can synergize leadership policies in each institution and is able to accelerate the development of Islamic boarding schools in a better direction. This shows that the existence of kyai cannot be separated from efforts to develop Islamic boarding schools.

Small and Medium Entrepreneurship as a Factor of Socio-Economic Municipality Development in Sevastopol

Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of the influence of small and medium-sized business in the Sevastopol on the development of the economy of municipality and the Russian Federation as a whole. The positive and negative aspects of small and medium-sized enterprises are studied, which is necessary to assess the prospects for the development of the economy. Methods. The study used a wide range of general scientific methods, such as analysis and synthesis, abstract-logical, system analysis. The paper analyzes the official statistics of the Federal State Statistics Service and Krymstat regarding the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Sevastopol. Results. The study can note the dynamic development of small and medium-sized businesses relative to the period under review from 2017 to 2021. Medium enterprises have a turnover comparison base much lower than that of small enterprises, which shows higher growth. The results of the study show that in the Southern Federal District the growth in the turnover of small enterprises turned out to be slower compared to the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. The paper examines the positive and negative aspects of various forms of entrepreneurial activity and defines the role of municipalities as a solution to this contradiction. Thus, it has been established that for the successful development of small and medium-sized businesses, it is necessary to develop market economic mechanisms at the level of small enterprises, and as a favorable prospect develops, an increase in state support is required. Conclusions. The results of the study can be used in planning the development of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as in regional development and substantiation of the role of regional authorities in the socio-economic development of the municipality.

Assessment of Stakeholder Involvement and Borehole Water Projects Delivery in Kogi West Senatorial District, Nigeria

There is huge challenges in the supply of clean water for household consumption in many countries, in particular, Nigeria. Kogi West Senatorial District (KWSD) has witnessed more borehole projects in Nigeria but the challenge of clean water still persists. This has necessitated more research into the field of water resources to combat such challenges in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study assessed the effects of stakeholders’ involvement in KWSD, Nigeria, with a view to improving the delivery of borehole water projects in the study area. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 267 stakeholders comprising Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) staff, community leaders and community members that were selected using simple random sampling technique. The study objective was assessed with inferential statistics (Partial Least Square in Structural Equation Modelling). The results disclose the direct path coefficients for Initiation stage (bIS), Planning stage (bPS), Execution stage (“bES”), Monitoring and closure stage (bMS), Post construction stage (bPCS), Budget (cBG), Time Delivery (cTD) and Stakeholder’s Satisfaction (cSS). The results illustrated positives and significant relationship with bES -> cBG (β = 0.422, t = 5.708), bES -> cSS (β = 0.495, t = 6.366), bES -> cTD (β = 0.493, t = 7.422), bMS -> cBG (β = 0.164, t = 2.643), bPCS -> cTD (β = 0.257, t = 5.7084.440), and negative significant relationship with bMS -> cTD (β = -0.184, t = 2.547) and bPS -> cSS (β = - 0.182, t = 2.586). The study concludes that stakeholders’ involvement is a strong predictor of viable Borehole water projects delivery in the study area.

Impact assessment of the organic agriculture production training program in Northern Philippines

A study was conducted to assess the impacts of the Organic Agriculture Production (OAP) Training Program of Ifugao State University (IFSU) on beneficiaries. The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) framework for impact assessment was used in tracing the impact pathways of the program. It utilized quantitative methods of data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the Likert scale. Respondents were the beneficiaries of the training that served as the treatment and non-beneficiaries that served as the control. The majority of the treatment and control respondents are young adults and middle-aged, female, married, finished secondary and college, have less than five household members, and are employed. Most of the respondents in the study have organizational affiliations. The inputs to the program were from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the IFSU. The use of these inputs produced technological and capacity building outputs. All the training respondents received their National Certificates, which means that they are all competent in the use of the OAP technologies and that they can produce new products that they can utilize for subsistence and livelihood. The evidently used adoption pathways were capacity building and communication. Respondents from the treatment group “agreed” that their participation in the training resulted in capacity building outcomes utilized at a personal and organizational level. The training program showed significant impacts on farm income, total annual income, employment, organizational affiliation and involvement, and adoption. Policy recommendations for the improvement of the program are discussed.

Comparative advantage and direction of trade in export of marine products from India

The study aims to examine the export performance and potential, comparative advantage and direction of tradeof Indian marine products and its possible impact on Indian economy. The secondary data required for the study werecompiled from various sources likeTrade Mapand Marine Products Export Development Authority for the period of2002-03 to 2021-22.The Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) index and Markov Chain techniquesrespectively were used to assess the export competitiveness and direction of change in export of Indian marine products.Theresults of the study revealed that, the RSCA index was around 0.60 in 2002-03 which was highest value till date and reducedto 0.17 during 2009-10. Further it has been observed from the Markov Chain technique that, USA was identified as one ofthe most loyal importer and Middle East countries and ‘Others’ were identified as unstable importers of Indian marineproducts

Towards an AI-based early warning system for bridge scour

ABSTRACT Scour is the number one cause of bridge failure in many parts of the world. Considering the lack of reliability in existing empirical equations for scour depth estimation and the complexity and uncertainty of scour as a physical phenomenon, it is essential to develop more reliable solutions for scour risk assessment. This study introduces a novel AI approach for early forecast of scour based on real-time monitoring data obtained from sonar and stage sensors installed at bridge piers. Long-short Term Memory networks (LSTMs), a prominent Deep Learning algorithm successfully used for time-series forecasting in other fields, were developed and trained using river stage and bed elevation readings for more than 11 years, obtained from Alaska scour monitoring programme. The capability of the AI models in scour prediction is shown for three case-study bridges. Results show that LSTMs can capture the temporal and seasonal patterns of both flow and river bed variations around bridge piers, through cycles of scour and filling and can provide reasonable predictions of upcoming scour depth as early as seven days in advance. It is expected that the proposed solution can be implemented by transportation authorities for development of emerging AI-based early warning systems, enabling superior bridge scour management.

Water Quality Index as a tool for assessing the water quality of the Laguna de Bay from 2020 to 2021

Laguna de Bay (LdB) is a primary freshwater resource that provides multiple ecosystem services. The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) oversees the periodic monitoring of LdB’s water quality. Data collected by the LLDA can be used to assess LdB’s status using an easily understandable metric. In this study, Water Quality Index (WQI) was used to assess LdB’s quality based on seven parameters (fecal coliform, nitrate, inorganic phosphate, ammonia, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and pH) measured and recorded by the LLDA from 2020 to 2021. Data from eight major monitoring stations were used to explore how the seven parameters link the stations as well as to compute the WQIs. The lowest WQIs (excellent quality) were obtained using the data representing the end of 2020 for all eight stations, while the highest WQIs (good - poor quality) were obtained for the data measured towards the end of 2021 for Stations I, II, and XVI. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the stations had relatively similar environmental influences and overall water quality. Station groupings correspond with the computed WQIs. Stations that had unconventional placements in the biplots (Q3-Q4 of 2021 for Stations I and XVI and Q2 of 2021 for Station V, classified as outliers), correspond to the time points where the lowest water quality was noted. Overall, WQI values are concordant with the water and land use type of the stations. WQI is a useful tool for indicating water quality and is valuable in evaluating LdB and other freshwater resources.

Developing Vaccines to Improve Preparedness for Filovirus Outbreaks: The Perspective of the USA Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

Outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by filoviruses have become more prevalent in recent years, with outbreaks of Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), and Marburg virus (MARV) all occurring in 2022 and 2023. While licensed vaccines are now available for EBOV, vaccine candidates for SUDV and MARV are all in preclinical or early clinical development phases. During the recent outbreak of SUDV virus disease, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), as part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, implemented key actions with our existing partners to advance preparedness and enable rapid response to the outbreak, while also aligning with global partners involved in the implementation of clinical trials in an outbreak setting. Beyond pre-existing plans prior to the outbreak, BARDA worked with product sponsors to expedite manufacturing of vaccine doses that could be utilized in clinical trials. While the SUDV outbreak has since ended, a new outbreak of MARV disease has emerged. It remains critical that we continue to advance a portfolio of vaccines against SUDV and MARV while also expediting manufacturing activities ahead of, or in parallel if needed, outbreaks.

Can five sun-and-sand Sardinian destinations host longer visits?

This work studies the determinants of the length of stay for different categories of tourists who visit five destinations in Southern Sardinia. For this purpose, primary data were collected during the summer season 2019. The full sample is analysed first, then the study proceeds with sub-samples comparing seniors with young, women with men, and Italians with foreigners. All estimates are performed using ordinary least squares and zero truncated negative binomial estimators. At the whole-sample level, the results align with the existing literature, with only a few exceptions regarding some destination-specific variables. At the sub-sample level, interesting differences emerge between groups. Therefore, the subsample analysis turns essential to get clearer insights on the determinants of the length of stay, which has important implications for tourism scholars, destination marketing organizations, and local development authorities.

‘A place for training, not for competition’: negotiations of competition and agency among long‐distance runners in Kenya

AbstractKenyan long‐distance runners have for decades famously dominated international athletic competitions. Most of the aspiring runners live and train in the highlands of northwest Kenya, in Elgeyo Marakwet County, where they have access to competitive peer groups of budding athletes and an elaborate infrastructure of camps, coaches, and managers. The most promising and successful ones travel abroad to take part in international races, only to quickly return and continue training in the ‘county of champions’. Meanwhile, Kenya is undergoing a rapid transformation, envisioned by the government's development plan, which promises to transform it into a ‘globally competitive and prosperous country’. On the surface, competition is a self‐explanatory notion that drives the transnational sports industry and the state's development plan. However, ethnography of the county's capital, Iten, and its community of athletes reveals tensions: Kenyans take up, negotiate, appropriate, and challenge meanings of competition offered by the state and the sports industry on ecological, gendered, and moral grounds. Ethnography of ideologies of competition in Iten, conceptualized as moral, aesthetic, and gendered projects, complicates accounts of competition as a tool for global neoliberal governance. It also provides an alternative to analyses of African subjects’ agency in global circulation of capital, people, and ideas, namely analyses subsumed under signs of marginality, dependence, and subjection.

HIERARCHICAL CLUSTER ANALYSIS ON PEOPLE'S WELFARE IN SOUTHEAST SULAWESI PROVINCE

Problems with people's welfare typically result from the government's development efforts in a region not being done properly or not being done equally. Consider grouping and defining the traits of each region's degree of welfare as a potential answer to ensure that development policies and strategies are well-targeted. This study aims to classify 17 regency/cities in Southeast Sulawesi province based on several indicators of people's welfare. The method used is hierarchical cluster analysis with several approaches, including Single Linkage, Complete Linkage, Average Linkage, and Ward's. The data used in this study is secondary data obtained from the publication of the Central Agency of Statistics (CAS) of Southeast Sulawesi Province. Based on the results of the evaluation the best method used is Ward's method which produces three clusters. The first cluster consists of 9 regencies, namely Buton, North Buton, South Buton, Central Buton, Muna, West Muna, Wakatobi, Konawe Islands, and East Kolaka, the majority of which come from the archipelago. Some of the problems that occur in these areas are the relatively high poverty rate and the low average length of schooling and life expectancy. The same thing happened to the second cluster which consisted of 6 regencies, namely Konawe, South Konawe, North Konawe, Bombana, Kolaka, and North Kolaka with problems of poverty, the average length of schooling, and relatively low sources of proper drinking water when compared to other clusters. The third cluster consists of 2 urban areas, namely Kendari City and Baubau City, the problems that occur are the relatively high unemployment rate and population density. The government ought to offer more initiatives to handle issues with poverty, education, and health in regions in clusters 1 and 2. While in cluster 3, the government ought to offer more initiatives to combat jobless issues and prepare for rising population densities.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND INSTITUTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WHEAT FARMERS IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study was carried out to analyzed the socio-economic and institutional characteristics of wheat farmers in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 503 wheat farmers (352 men and 151 women) from the study area. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed; using descriptive and inferential statistics (Tobit regression). The result revealed that Majority (70%) of the respondents were male and 30% were female. About 56.0% male and 49.0% women respondents were within the age bracket of 30-39 years and 20-29 years respectively. It was revealed that 91.5% male and 95.4% female respondents were married. Furthermore, 58.3% of the female respondents had primary level of education. Meanwhile, 55.4% male and 56.3% female respondents had a household size between 6-10 persons and 1-5 persons respectively. Majority (64.2%) of the female respondents had a farm size between 0.5-1.0 hectares. About 54.8% male and 67.5% female respondents had 6-10 years and 1-5 years of farming experience. Furthermore, 68.5% of the male respondents had access to extension from Jigawa Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (JARDA) while, 51.7% women had no contact. On the other hand, 32.4% of male had extension contact twice a year while 32.5% female had contact once a year. The result further revealed that 64.9% female respondents practice mixed cropping. 52,0% male practice bed drill method of sowing. The result further shows that majority (63.3% males and 67.5% female) respondents use the LCRIWHIT-4 (Atilla-Gan-Atilla) variety of wheat, 53.0% of female respondents applied organic manure to their farmland and 72.2% of the female respondents used machine in processing the wheat grains. Majority (68%) female respondents used wheat to prepare traditional dishes. The result further shows that 61.6% of the female respondents believed that high quality wheat variety is rewarded by substantial price premium. Tobit regression estimate of the extent of participation in wheat farming had a chi-square of 54.43 and significant at P≤0.01 level and Log likelihood of 364. Men and women participated in wheat farming, except that, on average male respondents had better access to land, inputs and extension services than the female wheat farmers. Policy makers should ensure that farmers receive the latest information on wheat agronomy through regular trainings.

Trainers’ Training Assistance And Trainees’ Performance In National Competency (NC) Assessment

This study inspired to look into the extent of trainers’ training assistance and its significant effect towards the trainees’ performance for the National Competency (NC) assessment of the selected training institutions under the supervision of Technical Education Skills Development Authority – Zamboanga City Division (TESDA-ZCD) through descriptive-quantitative research design. Furthermore, this study considered the trainees which were selected randomly as a respondents to share their substantial responses pertaining on the quality of training assistance rendered by the trainers. Also, the trainers of the selected training institution were considered to share their responses regarding on the challenges met along with the training assistance that they rendered towards the trainees’ performance for the National Competency (NC) assessment. Findings revealed that there was a highly observable of the trainers’ training assistance and it was significantly influenced the highly performed trainees for their National Competency (NC) assessment. However, there was a highly challenged on the part of trainers along with the training assistance that they rendered. In relation to the findings revealed, this study further suggests to the administrator to endorse, maintain and provide desirable rewards and recognition for the highly observable training assistance of trainers that manifests on their commitment and dedication to the service. Keywords: Trainees, Trainees’ Performance for National Competency (NC)Assessment, Trainers, Trainers’ Training Assistance

PULM13: DRIVe-ing ARDS medical countermeasure innovations for simpler, safer, more widely accessible ECMO and alternative approaches to gas exchange.

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) seeks to develop and procure medical countermeasures that address the consequences of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) events, as well as pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases. Any such threats may cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) for which the first-line intervention is mechanical ventilation. Critically, ventilation often results in further lung damage. Patients who do not respond to mechanical ventilation are more and more frequently placed on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) systems, which can enable lung tissue healing by bypassing contribution of the lungs to respiratory function. VV-ECMO, however, remains labor-intensive, costly, prone to risks and complications, and ECMO capabilities are limited to a few specialized centers. The Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures (DRIVe) in BARDA is interested in innovative approaches to sustain healthy oxygenation levels in ARDS patients as they heal naturally or await lung transplant, all the while preventing further tissue injury to already damaged lungs. Under the program Healing Lungs, DRIVe is prioritizing technologies that would make ECMO simpler to operate, safer for patients, and more widely accessible. Of particular interest are ECMO design innovations that reduce the chance of blood clot formation and hemorrhage and efforts to miniaturize the ECMO circuit into a portable unit.

Discrepancies in estimated flood losses on paddy production: Application of damage models on historical flood records of the Northwest States of Peninsular Malaysia

Information of flood damage to crops production is essential for guiding risk-based decisions in reducing future adverse impacts of floods. For paddy, its susceptibility to floods is one of the factors that may influence the loss of paddy’s production. To date, there have been limited studies that have been undertaken to examine in detail how different damage functions (with and without a susceptibility index) influence flood damage estimates of paddy using past recorded flood information. This study attempts to examine flood damage functions of different forms in two conditions: as their stand-alone forms and when being applied for damage and risk estimations. Furthermore, recorded revenues from the past were used to investigate the effects of paddy’s susceptibility to floods on revenues. Historical flood evidence and revenues between 1987 and 2021 occurred on paddy granaries under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority’s (MADA) monitoring located in Perlis and Kedah states of Peninsular Malaysia and were used in this study. Application of three damage functions reveals that the exclusion of susceptibility index from the damage calculation results in significantly overestimations of losses, with a standard deviation reaching as high as 38 and overestimations up to four times that of the function with susceptibility index. The high estimates could hinder the acceptance of risk-based flood assessment (and its results) in flood alleviation decision-making. Furthermore, as the percentage of flooded area increases, the revenue loss increases, indicating the effects of floods on harvested paddy quality. This further highlights the potential role of the susceptibility index in the damage function.