Professional Solutions (United States)

In vitro transcription (IVT) is a powerful method to generate RNA which not only facilitates RNA research but also plays a key role in the development and manufacture of RNA-based vaccines. mRNA is produced via the IVT process with a DNA template that contains information for the target antigen. However, as many disease-causing viruses mutate quickly and the cost of raw materials is high for the IVT reaction, there is a need for a system to develop a cost-effective and efficient IVT process platform. In this paper, we showed how total nucleoside-5'-triphosphates (NTPs) input, Mg2+ concentration and NTP preparation methods can influence IVT reaction yield and purity level of the final RNA constructs of different lengths and sequences. We propose an IVT design that will result in high RNA yield, high RNA integrity and low double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) concentrations for multiple RNA sequences. The approach presented here could significantly contribute to the development of a cost-effective, easy-to-adopt IVT process platform for RNA manufacturing.

Isocycloseram is a new insecticide in the isoxazoline class that targets insect GABA-gated chloride channels. In this study, we evaluated a cockroach gel bait formulation containing 1% isocycloseram against a susceptible strain (UCR) and 5 field-collected strains (WM, RG386, Ryan, CDR, and SY) of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), and compared it with several commercial insecticide baits in the laboratory. Using the Ebeling choice box method, we also tested a residual deposit of an SC formulation of isocycloseram against the UCR, RG386, and Ryan strains. The isocycloseram bait was among the fastest-performing treatments against adult males (mean survival time: 0.9-2.7 days) and mixed stages and sexes (mean survival time: 1.4-5.4 days) across all strains. Secondary transfer effects of the bait were demonstrated in the UCR strain by exposing new adult males to individuals killed by direct bait treatment. Physiological resistance was not detected in the WM, CDR, and RG386 strains with topical treatment of a diagnostic dose (3× LD95) of isocycloseram developed using the UCR strain. However, topical assays revealed resistance ratios (RR50) of 1.6 and 3.0× in the Ryan and SY strains, respectively. The performance of a 0.05% isocycloseram residual application against the Ryan strain was improved with the addition of piperonyl butoxide.

ABSTRACT As we recovering from this pandemic with changing workforces and work environments, we need to reimagine career development in Information Science from the lenses of a multiple‐role journey toward success. The purpose of this panel is to discuss the following areas proposed by the ASIS&T Member Match Program: Research Advancement, Research Collaboration, Professional Networking, Career Advancement, and Leadership Skills Development. This panel is presented by 5 international LIS professionals from 3 continents (Africa, Europe and North America), 4 different countries (South Africa, UK, Germany, and USA). Each panelist has unique and diverse academic and career experience to interact with the audience on the above five discussion areas.

Background School-based bullying is a global problem that negatively impacts the victims' and perpetrators' health and well-being. There is a paucity of data regarding bullying in schools and its association with suicide behaviors among adolescents in Liberia. Objective The study investigated the impact of bullying victimization on suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among adolescents in Liberia. It aimed to provide insights into the consequences of bullying victimization on adolescents' mental health regarding their thoughts of self-harm and suicide attempts. Methods The study utilized data from the 2017 Liberia Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) to analyze information on 2744 students between the ages of 11 and 18 years, with 52.4% being males. Prevalence rates of bullying victimization and suicide behaviors were calculated using descriptive statistics. Multiple logistic regressions were used to model the relationship between being bullied and experiencing suicidal behaviors (ideation and attempts). Results Among the 2744 adolescents examined, 20% experienced suicidal thoughts, with about 30% of the adolescents reporting suicide attempts at some point in the year preceding the survey. Within 30 days prior to the survey, the prevalence of bullying victimization was 50%, with 44.9% experiencing frequent victimization (3 or more days). Bullying victimization was significantly linked to increased odds of suicidal ideation with planning (aOR: 1.86; P < 0.001), at least a suicide attempt (aOR: 2.16; P < 0.001), and multiple attempts at suicide (aOR: 2.67; P < 0.001). We also observed that a greater number of days bullied was dose-dependently associated with higher odds for suicide ideation and attempts. Conclusion These findings support and extend those from other developing countries, highlighting the association between school-based bullying and suicidal behaviors. The relatively high prevalence of bullying among adolescents in Liberia underscores the importance of implementing effective anti-bullying policies and suicide prevention strategies in schools.

The turfgrass industry has undergone a rapid development in Guangdong province, China, which has the largest number of golf courses in the country. Recent surveys of turfgrasses in the province revealed five plant-parasitic nematodes that are prevalent: Helicotylenchus dihystera, Mesocriconema xenoplax, Meloidogyne graminis, Hemicriconemoides rosae and Tylenchorhynchus leviterminalis. The most prevalent species are M. xenoplax and M. graminis, found in 60.6% and 27.3% of locations, respectively. These five species are morphologically and morphometrically described. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analyses using 18S rRNA and the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA sequences are provided. This is the first report on molecular characterization and phylogenetic relationships of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with turfgrasses in Guangdong, China. This work was a first step for future study including pathogenicity assay, relationship examination with other pathogens and development of control measures of these turf nematodes to provide more precise and effective management options to turf superintendents.

This paper learns multi-modal embeddings from text, audio, and video views/modes of data in order to improve upon down-stream sentiment classification. The experimental framework also allows investigation of the relative contributions of the individual views in the final multi-modal embedding. Individual features derived from the three views are combined into a multi-modal embedding using Deep Canonical Correlation Analysis (DCCA) in two ways i) One-Step DCCA and ii) Two-Step DCCA. This paper learns text embeddings using BERT, the current state-of-the-art in text encoders. We posit that this highly optimized algorithm dominates over the contribution of other views, though each view does contribute to the final result. Classification tasks are carried out on two benchmark datasets and on a new Debate Emotion data set, and together these demonstrate that the one-Step DCCA outperforms the current state-of-the-art in learning multi-modal embeddings.

In 2012, One System Nuclear Safety performed a comparison of the safety bases for the Tank Farms Operations Contractor (TOC) and Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) (RPP-RPT-53222 / 24590-WTP-RPT-MGT-12-018, “One System Report of Comparative Evaluation of Safety Bases for Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Project and Tank Operations Contract”), and identified 25 recommendations that required further evaluation for consensus disposition. This report documents ten NSSC approved consistent methodologies and guides and the results of the additional evaluation process using a new set of evaluation criteria developed for the evaluation of the new methodologies.

No abstract available.

Infrared spectroscopy is discussed as an analytical technique used to detect bond vibrational frequencies. Characteristics of electromagnetic radiation are described including the electromagnetic spectrum, infrared (IR), visible, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, wave properties, energy considerations, and interpretation of color. Advantages and limitations of dispersive and Fourier transform spectrophotometers are discussed and compared using instrument design and operation, that is, radiation sources, monochromators (dispersive), interferometers (FTIR), and detectors. IR active bond vibrational modes commonly found in drugs of forensic interest are illustrated and categorized. IR spectra interpretation includes a complete discussion on wave numbers (cm−1) versus wavelength, and absorbance versus % transmittance. In addition, sample preparation techniques are described for liquid/vapor and solid sample FTIR including Nujol mull, cast film A and B, KBr pellets, and synthetic membrane sample cards.