Exposure Area Research Articles

Projections of urban land exposure to drought and flood in China.

With global warming, the risk of human exposure to extreme climates increases, profoundly impacting sustainable development. Using rapidly developing China as an example, this study estimates the exposure of urban land to drought and flood based on historical and future climate and land data. The results show that the area of urban land exposed to drought in China generally decreases in the future. However, the area exposed to flood sharply increases in the mid- and long-term future, except for the near future. There is heterogeneity in the changes in urban land exposure under different levels of drought and flood. The changes in exposure areas under different future scenarios show spatial differences and an overall trend of spatial aggregation. Climate factors are the main drivers of changes in the area exposed to drought and flood. The findings can provide important references for policy-making and urban land management in response to extreme climate change.

Overexpression of BMAL-1 is related to progression of urothelial carcinoma in arsenic exposure area.

Environmental exposure to arsenic has long been associated with various clinical and pathophysiological aspects of urothelial carcinoma (UC), although the role of arsenic in UC and its impact on circadian proteins, particularly BMAL-1, remains unestablished. Previous research suggests that arsenic upregulates Aurora kinase A (AURKA), subsequently inhibiting GSK-3β, which might lead to overexpression of BMAL-1; nevertheless, the underlying pathway and its clinical significance in UC with arsenic exposure have yet to be validated. This study focuses on two potential upstream regulators of BMAL-1, AURKA and GSK-3β. Ninety-nine tumor tissue samples were retrospectively collected along with their respective clinical data. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression of each protein. A positive relationship was observed between the expression levels of AURKA and BMAL-1 (p < 0.001), while negative correlations were noted between the expression levels of GSK-3β and AURKA (p < 0.001), and between GSK-3β and BMAL-1 (p = 0.003). Tissue samples exposed to arsenic exhibited significantly higher levels of AURKA (p < 0.001) and BMAL-1 (p < 0.001), a markedly lower expression of GSK-3β (p = 0.001), alongside a decreased survival status (p = 0.025) compared to non-exposed samples. Furthermore, patients with UC of higher tumor grade tended to show increased levels of AURKA (p < 0.001), BMAL-1 (p < 0.001), and decreased levels of GSK-3β (p < 0.001). Elevated expression of AURKA (p < 0.001) and BMAL-1 (p = 0.002), as well as reduced expression of GSK-3β (p = 0.003), were also associated with a decreased survival status. This study highlights the differential expression of BMAL-1, AURKA, and GSK-3β in association with arsenic exposure and their significant impact on clinical and pathological features of UC. Moreover, BMAL-1, AURKA, and GSK-3β emerge as potential prognostic markers for UC in regions with arsenic exposure.

Exposure and Sensitivity of Terrestrial Vertebrates to Biological Invasions Worldwide.

While biological invasions continue to threaten biodiversity, most of current assessments focus on the sole exposure to invasive alien species (IAS), without considering native species' response to the threat. Here, we address this gap by assessing vertebrates' vulnerability to biological invasions, combining measures of both (i) exposure to 304 identified IAS and (ii) realized sensitivity of 1600 native vertebrates to this threat. We used the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to identify species threatened by IAS, their distribution, and the species' range characteristics of their associated IAS. We found that 38% of worldwide terrestrial lands are exposed to biological invasions, but exposure alone was insufficient to assess vulnerability since we further found that most of the world hosted native species sensitive to biological invasions. We delineated areas highly vulnerable to biological invasions, that is, combining areas of high exposure and high sensitivity to IAS, located in Australia and coastal states of North America with a high confidence level, but also-depending on the group-in Pacific islands, Southern America, Western Europe, Southern Africa, Eastern Asia, and New-Zealand with a medium confidence level. Assessing the completeness in exposure data, we revealed strong biases in the global description of the well-known invasion hotspots, with limited areas being assessed with a medium to high confidence level. The completeness of sensitivity was overall very high, for the three studied taxonomic groups. We also demonstrated that coldspots of vulnerability to biological invasions were areas of low confidence in terms of data completeness, which coincided with biodiversity hotspots. There is thus a critical need to address these knowledge shortfalls which jeopardize efficient conservation initiatives, regarding the threats to well-known vertebrate taxa.

Distribution of metastases after radiotherapy in relation to radiation exposure fields: evaluation by 18F-FDG PET/CT

To evaluate the distribution of metastases after radiotherapy using 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). 67 patients with 501 new metastases revealed by 18F-FDG PET/CT after radiotherapy were included in this retrospective study. The metastases were divided into radiation area (RA) and non-radiation area (NRA), based on their locations inside or outside the radiation exposure field. Patients were divided into two groups based on the comparison of lesions number between RA and NRA: group A (NRA ≤ RA) and group B(NRA > RA). The distribution characteristics of metastases and their relationship with clinical data were analyzed. 67 patients were included in the study. A total of 501 lesions were detected: 122 in RA and 379 in NRA. 28 patients resulted in group A and 39 in group B. Patients with lesion number (LN) ≤ 5 were primarily assigned to Group A (56.1%, 23/41), whereas those with LN > 5 were primarily assigned to Group B (80.8%, 21/26). A statistically significant difference in lesion count was observed between the two groups (χ2 = 8.809, P = 0.003).Among 19 patients with RA = 0, 17 had LN ≤ 5 and 2 had LN > 5. In contrast, among 25 patients with NRA = 0, 10 had LN ≤ 5 and 15 had LN > 5. A significant difference was noted between patients with RA = 0 and those with NRA = 0 (χ2 = 4.728, P = 0.030). An notable characteristic in the distribution of metastases following radiotherapy is their tendency to occur outside the irradiation area. This indicated that the radiotherapy exposure area acquires a certain tumor growth inhibitory effect, potentially lasting over time. Based on these observations, there may be potential for developing novel preventive irradiation techniques.

Assessment of spatial disparity of neighborhoods greenspace availability using integrated greenspace exposure indicators in an arid city

The rapid population growth, intensive use of natural resources, and inadequate planning for sustainable cities have diminished people’s access to the natural environment. This has resulted in insufficient greenspace provision and increased exposure inequity in neighborhoods, particularly in arid regions. This study aimed to map urban greenspaces (UGS) in Greater Zarqa Municipality (GZM) and innovatively combine multiple greenspace exposure indicators to identify neighborhoods that are deprived of greenspace. A random forest classification algorithm, utilizing sentinel-2 images and vegetation indices, were used to classify the GZM land into built-up, greenspace, and undeveloped lands. Per capita greenspace, greenspace density, mitigation, restoration, and instoration exposure indicators were calculated and mapped for GZM neighborhoods. The suitability modeler technique was then applied to create an integrated UGS exposure indicator, identifying urban neighborhoods deprived of greenspace. The classification achieved an overall accuracy of 96 % and revealed a very poor urban greenspace density of 2.1 % that is unequally distributed among neighborhoods. The Zarqa Qasabah and Russeifa were poorly vegetated compared to the Hashemyiah district. UGS exposure indicators showed that over 80 % (97 out of 121) of neighborhoods did not meet the minimum per capita greenspace, 10 % greenspace density, or acceptable potential for mitigation, restoration and instoration of greenspace exposure. The combined UGS exposure indicator ranked 4 % of GZM neighborhoods (covering 5 % of GZM land) as high UGS exposure areas, containing only 0.2 % of the built-up area and housing 0.5 % of population. In contrast, the majority of neighborhoods (56 %) were classified as having poor UGS exposure, encompassing 56 % of the built-up area and accommodating 67 % of the GZM population. This integrated indicator approach effectively assessed UGS exposure and provided an unbiased estimation for identifying greenspace-deprived neighborhoods. The findings can guide decision-makers and urban planners in promoting greenspace exposure equity and developing new UGSs in underserved areas.

A Single-Dose Study to Evaluate the Relative Bioavailability, Safety, and Tolerability of Monthly Extended-Release Buprenorphine at Alternative Injection Locations in Adult Participants with Opioid Use Disorder.

Buprenorphine extended-release monthly formulation (BUP-XR, SUBLOCADE®) is approved for treatment of moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder (OUD) following subcutaneous injection in the abdomen. This open-label pharmacokinetic study assessed three alternative injection locations (upper arm, thigh, buttocks) to offer additional flexibility considering the chronic nature of the disease and patient preferences. Following stabilization on 12/3 mg/day of sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone for ≥ 7 days, participants with moderate-to-severe OUD were randomized to receive a single 300-mg BUP-XR injection in the upper arm, thigh, buttocks, or abdomen (reference). Serial blood samples were taken to measure buprenorphine plasma concentrations over 28 days and assess buprenorphine relative bioavailability. Safety evaluations included treatment-emergent adverse events and assessments of injection site pain, tenderness, erythema, induration, and swelling. A total of 88 participants received a single subcutaneous injection of 300-mg BUP-XR in the upper arm (N = 21), thigh (N = 23), buttocks (N = 22), or abdomen (N = 22); 81/88 (92%) completed the study. Buprenorphine plasma exposure (area under the plasma concentration-time curve over 28 days) was comparable across injection site groups with mean buprenorphine plasma concentrations sustained at approximately 2 ng/mL (therapeutic target concentration) or above. Buprenorphine maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was approximately 39% and 52% higher after injection in the upper arm and thigh, respectively, versus the abdomen, while comparable between buttocks and abdomen. Higher Cmax values were not associated with an increased incidence of adverse events. Safety and injection site tolerability were comparable across injection groups. These pharmacokinetic and safety findings support BUP-XR injection into the upper arm, thigh, and buttocks. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05704543.

Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Pulsed and Continuous 450 nm Laser Radiation on Tissue for Layered Removal of Pigmented Nevi

Benign pigmented skin lesions, including congenital giant pigmented nevi (CGPN), are pathological formations located in various skin layers and consisting of melanocyte clusters. CGPN represent a serious psychological and medical problem associated with extensive unaesthetic changes in the patient’s skin appearance. These lesions are currently treated by various methods, including laser radiation. However, such methods often render ineffective and lead to unsatisfactory clinical and aesthetic results, with the incidence of complications in the form of scarring and recurrence sometimes reaching 41%. Therefore, the problem of effective and appropriate treatment of this pathology is relevant, deserving further research. In this work, we conduct an experimental biomedical study into the effect of blue laser radiation with a wavelength (λ) of 450 nm on the tissues of laboratory animals in order to determine its prospects in the treatment of pigmented nevi, including CGPN. Blue laser radiation (λ — 450 nm) was generated by an Lasermed 10-03 device (Russian Engineering Club, LLC, Tula, Russia). An experimental biomedical in vitro research was performed on chilled samples of the liver and muscles of mini-pigs and in vivo on the pigmented skin of live laboratory rats. The dynamics of the regenerative wound process in the exposure areas was studied at different periods, i.e., immediately after exposure and following up to 90 days. A morphometric assessment of the exposure areas was carried out in terms of penetration depth and coagulation changes. The results obtained allowed determination of optimal parameters of 450 nm blue laser radiation for a precision removal of various pigmented skin formations. Laser radiation with a wavelength of 450 nm is a promising treatment approach for pigmented skin lesions, including CGPN.

Investigation into the Mechanism of the Impact of Sunlight Exposure Area of Urban Artificial Structures and Human Activities on Land Surface Temperature Based on Point of Interest Data

With rapid urbanization, the urban heat island (UHI) effect has intensified, posing challenges to human health and ecosystems. This study explores the impact of sunlight exposure areas of artificial structures and human activities on land surface temperature (LST) in Hefei and Xuzhou, using Landsat 9 data, Google imagery, nighttime light data, and Point of Interest (POI) data. Building shadow distributions and urban road surface areas were derived, and geospatial analysis methods were applied to assess their impact on LST. The results indicate that the sunlight exposure areas of roofs and roads are the primary factors affecting LST, with a more pronounced effect in Xuzhou, while anthropogenic heat plays a more prominent role in Hefei. The influence of sunlight exposure on building facades is relatively weak, and population density shows a limited impact on LST. The geographical detector model reveals that interactions between roof and road sunlight exposure and anthropogenic heat are key drivers of LST increases. Based on these findings, urban planning should focus on optimizing building layouts and heights, enhancing greening on roofs and roads, and reducing the sunlight exposure areas of artificial structures. Additionally, strategically utilizing building shadows and minimizing anthropogenic heat emissions can help lower local temperatures and improve the urban thermal environment.

Compound spatial extremes of heatwaves and downstream air pollution events in East Asia

In light of increasing climate hazards globally that pose risk to public health, the compounded effects of two major hazards, heatwaves and air pollution, have become a focal point for environmental and health research. This study explores the intricate relationship between extreme temperature events in North China (NC) and South China (SC) – two prominent areas of aerosol exposure in East Asia – and the associated changes in aerosol optical depth (AOD) across the region. The heatwave events and regional AOD distribution revealed distinct patterns in their respective regions from June to September. Both NC and SC showed reduced AOD during heatwave events, while downstream regions experienced increased AOD levels. From the perspective of heatwaves in NC and SC, we present a more holistic picture of how large-scale modulators contribute to inducing air pollution hazards across East Asia. The analysis revealed a link between blocking high-pressure system and heatwave occurrences in NC, while a dominant Rossby wave train, influenced by the South China Sea, was identified as a major modulator in SC. Additionally, other large-scale circulatory systems, such as the Western Pacific Subtropical High, the East Asian jet stream, and the South Asian High, also play crucial roles in shaping these events. This suggests the potential for predicting downstream AOD events. The study underscores the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of meteorological and air quality phenomena to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts in East Asia.

The influence of land use planning and exposure to flooding on urban growth in San José, Costa Rica

We estimate areas of potential flooding exposure within the San José Metropolitan Region with morphometric methods. Based on this potential hazard zoning, we use a spatial-statistical model to explore the difference introduced by land use regulations (municipal and regional) on urban growth, controlling for potential exposure to hazards and other sources of spatial heterogeneity. The potential flood zoning derived coincided with upstream rivers and flat areas between them (likely susceptible to urban drainage capacity problems). We estimated regional land use regulations significantly constrain urban development (with urban growth reductions of about 6 %), but the constraint does not increase in areas exposed to potential flooding; municipal environmental protection zoning was estimated to decrease urban development by 8 %, with an additional but very small 0.1–0.9 % reduction in potential flooding areas. Regional instruments fundamentally applied to the steeper (and hence less exposed to flooding) periphery whereas municipal land use instruments did constrain land from development (especially along rivers) within urban areas.

L858R/L718Q and L858R/L792H Mutations of EGFR Inducing Resistance Against Osimertinib by Forming Additional Hydrogen Bonds.

Acquired resistance to first-line treatments in various cancers both promotes cancer recurrence as well as limits effective treatment. This is true for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, for which secondary EGFR mutations are one of the principal mechanisms conferring resistance to the covalent inhibitor osimertinib. Thus, it is very important to develop a deeper understanding of the secondary mutational resistance mechanisms associated with EGFR mutations arising in tumors treated with osimertinib to expedite the development of innovative therapeutic drugs to overcome acquired resistance. This work uses all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the conformational variation of two reported EGFR mutants (L858R/L718Q and L858R/L792H) that resist osimertinib. The wild-type EGFR kinase domain and the L858R mutant are used as the reference. Our MD simulation results revealed that both the L718Q and L792H secondary mutations induce additional hydrogen bonds between the residues in the active pocket and the residues with the water molecules. These additional hydrogen bonds reduce the exposure area of C797, the covalent binding target of osimertinib. The additional hydrogen bonds also influence the binding affinity of the EGFR kinase domain by altering the secondary structure and flexibility of the amino acid residues in the domain. Our work highlights how the two reported mutations may alter both residue-residue and residue-solvent hydrogen bonds, affecting protein binding properties, which could be helpful for future drug discovery.

Boosting effect of ultrasonication on the oxygen evolution reaction during zinc electrowinning

In this study, the electrochemical and anodic behaviors of Pb-Ag anodes during ultrasound-assisted zinc electrowinning were meticulously examined. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurring at the Pb-Ag anodes in a 150 g L-1 aqueous H2SO4 solution was studied in the absence (silent) and presence of ultrasonication (40 kHz, 100 % acoustic amplitude). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and zinc electrowinning tests were conducted to analyze the electrochemical behavior of the Pb-Ag anodes during zinc electrowinning. Compared with that under silent conditions, the OER was greatly enhanced under ultrasonic conditions, and the overpotential reduction was found to be 108 mV at 35 °C at a current density of 50 mA cm−2. A significant reduction in the bath voltage was achieved during ultrasound-assisted prolonged zinc electrowinning, with a difference of approximately 50 mV compared with that of the control. The integration of ultrasonic technology into the realm of zinc electrowinning leverages the physical and chemical effects of ultrasonication to significantly improve the efficiency and kinetics of the OER. Smaller PbO2 grains and a larger silver exposure area appeared on the Pb-Ag plate surface during ultrasonic-assisted electrowinning, which is beneficial for the OER chemically. The generated oxygen bubbles merged more rapidly and detached from the electrode surface with greater alacrity under ultrasonication conditions, which reinforced the OER in terms of mass transfer kinetics. Furthermore, more fine zinc products can be obtained during ultrasound-assisted zinc electrowinning. By harnessing the power of ultrasonic technology, more sustainable and cost-effective zinc electrowinning can be achieved.

Enhancing Cognitive Radio Network Through the Novel Optimization Process and Deep Learning Model in the Transverse System

The dynamic distribution of spectrum, made possible by next-generation networks that utilise Cognitive Radio technology, helps to alleviate spectrum shortages. Additionally, these networks may be dynamically operated to save energy. The innovative cloud-sharing-decision-based method for optimising cognitive radio networks' wireless networks is introduced in this research. Optimisation was achieved via 3 key performance indicators: spectrum utilisation, power utilisation, and human revelation. Researcher find the best key performance indicators for a realistic India’s suburban situation. An optimisation technique in the cloud-based design for architecture simultaneously decreases networks power usage for about 27.6%, mean worldwide revelation by 34.4%, &amp; spectrum utilisation for about 34.6% when related to a standard Cognitive Radio net. For the areas of networks power consumption (4.9%), spectrum utilisation (7.4%), and global exposure (4.4%), method outperforms the old design, even in the worst-case optimisation scenario.

Comparison of three approaches for accessory lung lobectomy in the canine cadaveric model: Intercostal thoracotomy, median sternotomy, and a transdiaphragmatic approach combined with caudal median sternotomy.

To describe a combined transdiaphragmatic and caudal median sternotomy (TDCM) approach to the accessory lung lobe and to compare its accessibility with intercostal thoracotomy (ICT) and median sternotomy (MS). Cadaveric study. Twelve canine cadavers. Cadavers underwent an accessory lung lobectomy using an articulating EndoGIA stapler via randomly assigned approach: ICT (n = 4), MS (n = 4) or TDCM (n = 4). The percentage of accessory lung tissue removed was measured in surface area and weight. Exposure was measured as area of cavitary or bicavitary exposure at maximal retraction, by tracing a line around the circumference of the exposed cavity using an imaging software. Staple line leak pressures were evaluated to 40 cmH2O. The average area of exposure was larger in the TDCM approach (TDCM = 193.5 cm2, MS = 106.5 cm2, ICT = 73.5 cm2); (p = .01). Two of four ICT staple lines leaked at 40 cmH2O or lower, and 1/4 MS resulted in iatrogenic damage to an adjacent lobe. There was no difference in the percentage of the lobe excised by weight or surface area between groups. The transdiaphragmatic and caudal median sternotomy approach provided greater exposure, although the percentage of the lobe excised and the surgical time did not differ between approaches. All three approaches allowed for adequate excision of the accessory lung lobe (ALL) with similar surgical times; however, the TDCM approach provided a greater area of exposure, which could increase accessibility to the ALL.

Tuning the stiffness and stretchability of micro-scale-structured polymer membrane simultaneously by integrating mechanical modeling and spatiotemporal controllable photolithograph

Micro-scale structural polymer membranes with desired mechanical properties, such as modulus and stretchability, have extensive applications in repair scaffolds, stretchable electronic devices, etc., yet how to achieve the simultaneous tunability of high modulus (MPa-level) and excellent resilience in micron-scale polymer membrane remains challenge. In this work, based on the material-structure integrated design aided by mechanical modeling and photolithograph, a micro-scale-structured solid-state lithography polyurethane-urea (UVSLPU) membrane has been fabricated, achieving a wide range of controllability on elastic modulus of 25–55 MPa and stretchability of 2.7–7.6 by simultaneously controlling the exposure time and area. Based on the physical mechanism of solid-state lithography, a novel visco-hyperelastic constitutive model is developed to facilitate the quantitative tunning of the mechanical property of UVSLPU. According to the microstructure analysis, the model decomposes the free energy of UVSLPU into three components, including crosslinked network, free chains as well as dangling chains, and describes the influence of exposure time on their nonlinear evolutions through increasing chain density and reducing the number of Kuhn monomers per chain. The proposed model is validated through uniaxial tensile tests conducted at different strain rates and exposure conditions, and reveals the significant contribution of crosslinks and free chains in enhancing the modulus over exposure time. Then, by integrating constitutive modeling and spatiotemporal controllable photolithograph, the design and manufacture for the micro-scale-structured UVSLPU membrane achieving increasing stiffness without losing the stretchability is realized by precisely controlling the exposure area. This work offers a novel and efficient approach for the design and manufacture of micro-scale-structured membranes with desired mechanical properties.

Epidemiology and Ecology of Usutu Virus Infection and Its Global Risk Distribution.

Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging mosquito-transmitted flavivirus with increasing incidence of human infection and geographic expansion, thus posing a potential threat to public health. In this study, we established a comprehensive spatiotemporal database encompassing USUV infections in vectors, animals, and humans worldwide by an extensive literature search. Based on this database, we characterized the geographic distribution and epidemiological features of USUV infections. By employing boosted regression tree (BRT) models, we projected the distributions of three main vectors (Culex pipiens, Aedes albopictus, and Culiseta longiareolata) and three main hosts (Turdus merula, Passer domesticus, and Ardea cinerea) to obtain the mosquito index and bird index. These indices were further incorporated as predictors into the USUV infection models. Through an ensemble learning model, we achieved a decent model performance, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.992. The mosquito index contributed significantly, with relative contributions estimated at 25.51%. Our estimations revealed a potential exposure area for USUV spanning 1.80 million km2 globally with approximately 1.04 billion people at risk. This can guide future surveillance efforts for USUV infections, especially for countries located within high-risk areas and those that have not yet conducted surveillance activities.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Effects of Blepharoplasty on Visual Field, Corneal Changes, and Cosmetic Appearance.

Blepharoplasty is an important eyelid surgical procedure, involving aesthetic and functional changes to the eyelids. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of upper eyelid blepharoplasty on changes in the visual field, corneal changes, and cosmetic appearance. This study was performed with preoperative and postoperative facial photographs of 32 patients who underwent bilateral blepharoplasty. Marginal reflex distance (MRD1), percentage of corneal exposure area (CEA), and brow height (BH) were obtained from photographs. intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular biometric parameters were also obtained. The morphometric and ocular parameters obtained from preoperative, postoperative first-month, and postoperative third-month patients were compared using repeated measures ANOVA test. Significant differences in MRD1, CEA, and BH were observed between preoperative, postoperative first-month, and postoperative third-month patients. Improvements were observed in left axis and right corneal astigmatism axis measurements in the postoperative third month compared with preoperative measurements, and the positive change was statistically significant (P=0.020, P=0.036). Upper eyelid blepharoplasty could provide satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes by contributing to the improvement of pseudoptosis and reduction in eyebrow height postoperatively.

Internship Abroad vs. Local Internship: Effects on BSHRM Graduates' Job Placement and Career Prospects

This study compares the employability of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM) graduates from the Isabela State University–Cauayan Campus based on their internship profile, focusing on location (abroad vs. local), area of exposure, and duration. A descriptive-correlational research design was used, with purposive sampling of 50 graduates from batches in 2011, 2017, and 2018. Data were collected using a modified CHED Tracer Study Questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation. The results showed that graduates who interned abroad were more likely to land their first job abroad, whereas those with local internships found employment within the country. Exposure to dining and front office areas during internships was associated with securing HRM-related jobs after graduation, whereas those primarily exposed to housekeeping were more likely to work in non-HRM fields. The duration of internships did not significantly impact the location of first employment. The findings suggest that internship location and area of exposure influence the employability of BSHRM graduates. Recommendations include evaluating and improving BSHRM internship program design, ensuring a balance between different hotel departments, and strengthening partnerships with local and international industry linkages to provide student-focused internship opportunities. This study offers insights for enhancing internship programs and graduate employability in the hospitality management field.

Do Anatomical Variations of Sphenoid Sinus Influence Sella Exposure and Residual Disease in Pituitary Surgery? - A Study in an Indian Population.

Introduction Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) is the standard practice in pituitary surgeries. The sellar exposure becomes the main factor which determines the residual disease in ETS. Not many studies can be found in the literature on the influence of anatomical variations of the sphenoid on intraoperative sella exposure. Objective The aim of the current study is to ascertain whether sphenoid sinus variations play a role in sellar exposure and residual tumor volume. Methods This is a prospective study conducted in a south Indian tertiary care center between June 2020 to June 2022, with 21 study participants who were scheduled to have ETS. The relation of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters with the intraoperative area of sellar exposure and residual tumor volume was evaluated. Results Sphenoid sinus dimensions, like presellar width (mean = 1.89 ± 0.51 cm), maximum width (mean = 2.94 ± 1.09 cm), presellar depth (mean = 1.14 ± 0.55 cm), suprasellar depth (mean = 1.08 ± 0.24 cm), infrasellar depth (mean = 2.36 ± 0.92 cm), presellar height (mean = 2.22 ± 0.47 cm), or the 9 internal carotid artery (ICA)-related measures, did not have any correlation with the mean intraoperative area of sellar exposure (0.57 ± 0.28 cm 2 ). Also, the adequacy of sellar exposure did not relate to the residual tumor. Preoperative tumor volume was found to be higher (20.2 [55.3-13.2] cm 3 ) in patients with residual tumor compared with those with no residual tumor (5.9 [6.8-5.2] cm 3 ). Tumor extension had a significant association with the residual tumor volume. Conclusion According to the present study, anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinus do not influence the adequacy of sellar exposure. Further studies need to be undertaken concerning residual tumor volume as well as preoperative tumor volume and extension.

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Tucatinib in Healthy Participants and Patients with Breast Cancer or Colorectal Cancer.

Tucatinib is a highly selective, oral, reversible, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Tucatinib is approved at a 300-mg twice-daily dose in adults in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for advanced HER2-postitive (HER2+) unresectable or metastatic breast cancer and in combination with trastuzumab for RAS wild-type HER2+ unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer. This study sought to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) and assess sources of PK variability of tucatinib in healthy volunteers and in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast or colorectal cancers. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed based on data from four healthy participant studies and three studies in patients with either HER2+ metastatic breast cancer or metastatic colorectal cancer using a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach. Clinically relevant covariates were evaluated to assess their impact on exposure, and overall model performance was evaluated by prediction-corrected visual predictive checks. A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with linear elimination and first-order absorption preceded by a lag time adequately described tucatinib pharmacokinetic profiles in 151 healthy participants and 132 patients. Tumor type was identified as a significant covariate affecting tucatinib bioavailability and clearance, resulting in a 1.2-fold and 2.1-fold increase in tucatinib steady-state exposure (area under the concentration-time curve) in HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer and HER2+ metastatic breast cancer, respectively, compared with healthy participants. No other covariates, including mild renal or hepatic impairment, had an impact on tucatinib pharmacokinetics. The impact of statistically significant covariates identified was not considered clinically meaningful. No tucatinib dose adjustments are required based on the covariates tested in the final population pharmacokinetic model. NCT03723395, NCT03914755, NCT03826602, NCT03043313, NCT01983501, NCT02025192.