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This phase 3, randomized, partially double-blind study investigated the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) in healthy toddlers ≥12–<24 months of age who had previously received 2 infant doses of 13-valent PCV (PCV13). Participants were randomized to receive 1 or 2 doses of PCV20 (the second dose was administered 56–70 days after the first dose), or 1 dose of PCV13. The primary pneumococcal immunogenicity endpoint was the percentages of participants with predefined serotype-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations (≥0.35 μg/mL) for the 7 additional serotypes 1 month after the last vaccination. Percentages of participants with predefined IgG concentrations for the 13 matched serotypes, IgG geometric mean concentrations, and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) geometric mean titers were also evaluated for all 20 vaccine serotypes. Safety endpoints included local reactions, systemic events, adverse events, and serious adverse events. Overall, 356 participants were randomized (2-dose PCV20, n = 121; 1-dose PCV20, n = 118; PCV13, n = 117). One month after 1 PCV20 dose, ≥75.9 % of participants had IgG concentrations ≥0.35 μg/mL for all 7 additional serotypes, except serotype 12F (54.6 %). After 2 PCV20 doses, the percentage of participants with IgG concentrations ≥0.35 μg/mL for the 7 additional serotypes was ≥91.2 %. PCV20 elicited IgG and OPA responses for all 20 serotypes including serotype 12F. IgG distributions were well differentiated and substantially higher in PCV20 groups than the PCV13 group for the 7 additional serotypes, and generally similar between all groups for the 13 matched serotypes. In conclusion, a single toddler dose of PCV20 after 2 infant PCV13 doses elicited immune responses expected to help provide protection against the 7 additional serotypes and to provide similar protection against the 13 matched serotypes as PCV13. These data support a transition from PCV13 to PCV20 at the toddler dose. The safety and tolerability profile of PCV20 was similar to PCV13. Trial registration:Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05408429. •PCV20 safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in healthy toddlers was investigated.•Participants had previously received 2 infant doses of PCV13.•PCV20 single toddler dose expected to help protect against 7 additional serotypes.•PCV20 expected to provide similar protection as PCV13 against 13 matched serotypes.•The safety/tolerability profile of PCV20 toddler doses was similar to PCV13.

Background. The surgical resection of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) with sciatic nerve involvement presents a significant surgical and oncological challenge. Current treatment strategies pursue a multimodal approach with the aim of limb preservation. We aim to evaluate the outcomes of limb-sparing surgery of STS in a patient cohort and to propose a classification for STS with sciatic nerve involvement. Methods. Patients receiving limb-preserving resections for STS with sciatic nerve involvement between 01/2010 and 01/2017 were included. Clinical and oncological data were prospectively collected in a computerized database and retrospectively analyzed. Sciatic nerve involvement in STS was classified preoperatively as follows: type A for nerve encasement; type B for nerve contact; and type C for no nerve involvement. Results. A total of 364 patients with STS were treated, of which 27 patients had STS with sciatic nerve involvement. Eight patients with type A tumors (29.6%) underwent sciatic nerve resection, and 19 patients with type B tumors (70.4%) received epineural dissections. Disease progression was observed in 8 patients (29.6%) with a local recurrence of 11.1% and distant metastasis in 29.6%. The type of nerve resection significantly influenced leg function but had no impact on disease recurrence or overall survival. Conclusion. In a cohort of carefully selected patients with STS and sciatic nerve involvement, the extent of sciatic nerve resection had no significant impact on disease recurrence or survival. Precise classification of neural involvement may therefore be useful in selecting the appropriate degree of nerve resection, without compromising oncological outcome or unnecessarily sacrificing leg function.

With the global shift to sustainability, the energy sector faces pressure to adopt low-carbon solutions. Blue ammonia (BA), derived from natural gas (NG) with carbon capture, presents significant opportunities but requires a holistic sustainability assessment. This study conducts a novel life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of BA, evaluating environmental, economic, and social impact performance from feedstock processing to maritime transport for a 1.2 MMTPA production capacity. Process simulations in Aspen HYSYS V12 and the ammonia maritime transport operations’ sustainability assessment model provide critical insights. The ammonia converter unit contributes the highest emissions (17.9 million tons CO2-eq), energy use (963.2 TJ), and operational costs (USD 189.2 million). CO2 removal has the most considerable land use (141.7 km2), and purification records the highest water withdrawal (14.8 million m3). Carbon capture eliminates 6.5 million tons of CO2 annually. Economically, ammonia shipping dominates gross surplus (USD 653.9 million, 72%) and tax revenue (USD 65.3 million) despite employing just 43 workers. Socially, the ammonia converter unit has the highest human health impact (16,621 DALY, 54%). Sensitivity analysis reveals transport distance (46.5% CO2 emissions) and LNG fuel prices (63.8% costs) as key uncertainties. Findings underscore the need for optimized logistics and alternative fuels to enhance BA sustainability.

Background/Objectives: Gastrostomy tube (GT) placement plays a vital role in managing children with chronic illnesses who are unable to meet their nutritional needs orally. While its clinical benefits are well established, limited data exist on caregivers’ satisfaction with GT use in Jordan. This study aimed to assess caregivers’ satisfaction and identify factors that influence their experiences by using a validated satisfaction scoring system in which a score greater than 20 indicates a high level of satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jordan University Hospital, including children under 18 years of age who underwent endoscopic GT insertion between July 2017 and December 2024. Caregivers completed the Structured Satisfaction Questionnaire with Gastrostomy Feeding (SAGA-8), and demographic and clinical data were collected. Statistical analyses explored associations between satisfaction levels and patient-, caregiver-, and healthcare-related factors. Results: A total of 46 caregivers participated. The median satisfaction score was 26.1, surpassing the high satisfaction threshold of 20. Overall, 63% of caregivers expressed satisfaction or high satisfaction with GT feeding, and 82.6% were satisfied with the support provided by the healthcare team. Additionally, 69.5% and 65.2% of caregivers reported improvements in their child’s nutritional status and overall family well-being, respectively. Notably, 89.1% observed a reduction in feeding time, and 84.8% reported fewer respiratory infections following GT placement. Over half of the caregivers (58.7%) indicated that they would have agreed to earlier GT placement if they had been more aware of its benefits. Conclusions: Caregivers reported high satisfaction with GT use, with scores well above the validated threshold indicating high satisfaction. These findings highlight the positive impact of GT placement on children’s health outcomes and family quality of life. Enhancing caregiver education and providing robust healthcare support are crucial to improving the management of children who require GT feeding.

One of the key factors that play an important role in the performance of a solid propellant rocket is dependent on its burning rate. A strand burner is a type of apparatus used to measure the propellant burning rate at elevated pressure. This study investigates the relation between burning rates of aluminized ammonium perchlorate at low pressure. Chamber pressure was varied from 1 atm, 3 atm, 5 atm and 7 atm. This study shows that propellant burning rate is about 50%-62% higher when the burn rate test is conducted at atmospheric condition compared to when it is done in inert gas. The investigation’s results also revealed an increasing propellant burning rate when the chamber pressure is increased. In conclusion, the burning condition and chamber pressure influences the propellant burning rate.

Car Parking is an important problem occurs in attracted zones in Baghdad city. Al-Mansour neighborhood is a commercial center in Baghdad city, which highly attract people from various zones. Limited parking spaces are provided in this area leads to appearance of traffic problems. Al-Mansour neighborhood is the study area that was chosen for surveying its parking (off-street parking). The purpose of the study is evaluating of characteristics of off street parking in Al-Mansour city. Four parking was selected, three located nearby AL-Mansour Mall and the others nearby Babylon Mall. From the results showed that PI of P4 is 103.33%, that mean demand is more than supply. The license plate method is used for collected data that used in assessing characteristics of parking in area such as parking duration, peak hours and parking turnover. Two kinds of data are collected, first about site characteristics, and the second is about parking vehicles accumulation sketch. Collected data in this study is from surveying each park for two days at PM period, all the data collected manually.

Surface composite fabrication through Friction Stir Processing (FSP) is evolving as a useful clean process to enhance surface properties of substrate. Better particle distribution is key to the success of surface composite fabrication which is achieved through multiple passes. Multiple passes significantly increase net energy input and undermine the essence of this clean process. This study proposes a novel approach and indices to relate the particle distribution with the FSP parameters. It also proposes methodology for predicting responses and relate the response with the input parameter. Unit stirring as derived parameter consisting of tool rotation speed in revolutions per minute (rpm), traverse speed and shoulder diameter was proposed. The particle distribution was identified to be achieved in three stages and all three stages bear close relationship with unit stirring. Three discrete stages of particle distribution were identified: degree of spreading, mixing and dispersion. Surface composite on an aerospace grade aluminum alloy AA7050 was fabricated successfully using TiB2 as reinforcement particles. FSP was performed with varied shoulder diameter, rotational speed and traversing speed and constant tool tilt and plunge depth using single pass processing technique to understand the stages of distribution. Significant relationships between processing parameters and stages of particle distribution were identified and discussed.

Biofilms are complex aggregation of cells that are embedded in EPS matrix. These microcolonies are highly resistant to drugs and are associated with various diseases. Biofilms have greatly affected the food safety by causing severe losses due to food contamination and spoilage. Therefore, novel antibiofilm agents are needed. This study investigates the antibiofilm and protein binding activity of zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) synthesized from leaf extract of Ochradenus baccatus. Standard physical techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, were used to characterize the synthesized OB-ZnNPs. Synthesized OB-ZnNPs demonstrated significant biofilm inhibition in human and food-borne pathogens (Chromobacterium violaceum, Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and Listeria monocytogenes) at subinhibitory concentrations. OB-ZnNPs significantly reduced the virulence factors like violacein, prodigiosin, and alginate and impaired swarming migration and EPS production. OB-ZnNPs demonstrated efficient binding with HSA protein and no change in their structure or stability was observed. In addition, in vivo toxicity evaluation confirmed that OB-ZnNPs possessed no serious toxic effect even at higher doses. Moreover, they were found to have excellent antioxidant properties that can be employed in the fields of food safety and medicine. Hence, it is envisaged that the OB-ZnNPs can be used as potential nanomaterials to combat drug resistant bacterial infections and prevent contamination/spoilage of food.