process When tragedy strikes, follow due process By www.eversheds.com Published On :: 2019-12-04 Mining operations around the country strive to send home employees safely at the end of each shift, by implementing various stringent health and safety measures in their working places. Despite these measures and various safety drives to put health ... Full Article
process US gives India key role in Afghan peace process By article.wn.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 05:40 GMT New Delhi: The United States is understood to have reiterated its desire for India to play a key role in the Afghan peace process, given New Delhi’s strong relationship with the Afghan Government. Strengthening its ties with Kabul amid the Coronavirus pandemic, New Delhi meanwhile has dispatched a consignment of 10,000 tonnes of wheat on Thursday to Afghanistan through the Iranian port of Chabahar and this brings... Full Article
process Education briefing - ICO Consultation on the Processing of Criminal Records Data By www.eversheds.com Published On :: 2020-02-24 The legal issues surrounding the processing of personal data relating to criminal convictions, allegations and offences or related security measures (“Criminal Records Data”) are complex. Education institutions tackle such issues on a re... Full Article
process UN urges South Sudan to speed up peace process By www.theeastafrican.co.ke Published On :: 2020-05-08T14:38:02Z Delays in forming state governments have contributed to the breakdown in rule of law. Full Article
process Angola: Namibe Authorities Ask for Better Fish Processing Market By allafrica.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 10:02:03 GMT [ANGOP] Tômbwa -The Namibe provincial vice-governor for Political, Economic and Social Sector, Maiza Tavares advised this Friday in the municipality of Tômbwa the women who work on fish processing to improve the hygienic and sanitary condition in work places. Full Article
process CZK 15 billion Prague metro service contract: also not done in due process By praguemonitor.com Published On :: Prague Daily Monitor After the weekend hack-a-thon proved that a CZK 401 million contract for a web based vignette system can be made in a few hours time, with 60 programmers, Prague's politicians are on a witch hunt. Next is the CZK 15 billion Prague metro maintenance contract which was signed without a public tender. read more Full Article
process Fiscal budget 2020-21 under process: Centre faces mammoth challenges to find ways out for revenue By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 06:00:00 +0500 ISLAMABAD: The Centre will have to face serious challenges to support day to day expenditures after paying defence and debt servicing bills from available resources, as the fiscal budget 2020-21 is... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Full Article
process Fiscal budget 2020-21 under process: Centre faces mammoth challenges to find ways out for revenue By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 06:00:00 +0500 ISLAMABAD: The Centre will have to face serious challenges to support day to day expenditures after paying defence and debt servicing bills from available resources, as the fiscal budget 2020-21 is... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Full Article
process Fiscal budget 2020-21 under process: Centre faces mammoth challenges to find out ways for revenue By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 06:00:00 +0500 ISLAMABAD: The Centre will have to face serious challenges to support day to day expenditures after paying defence and debt servicing bills from available resources, as the fiscal budget 2020-21 is... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Full Article
process Pakistan sincerely supports Afghan peace process: Gen Bajwa By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 06:00:00 +0500 RAWALPINDI: US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Friday called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Friday. During the meeting, issues of mutual interest and overall regional security situation, including Afghan reconciliation process, came... Full Article
process Pakistan sincerely supports Afghan peace process: Gen Bajwa By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 06:00:00 +0500 RAWALPINDI: US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Friday called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Friday.During the meeting, issues of mutual interest and overall regional security situation, including Afghan reconciliation process, came under... Full Article
process Pakistan sincerely supports Afghan peace process: General Qamar Javed Bajwa By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 06:00:00 +0500 RAWALPINDI: US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Friday called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Friday.During the meeting, issues of mutual interest and overall regional security situation, including Afghan reconciliation process, came under... Full Article
process Yaum-e-Ali procession will be organised, insists MWM By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 06:00:00 +0500 Criticising the Sindh government for “playing politics” over the holding of mourning religious congregations by issuing a notification to ban such congregations, the Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen announced on Friday that the Yaum-e-Ali procession would be organised on Ramazan 21 after... Full Article
process Microchip PCN Registration Process By ww1.microchip.com Published On :: 5/5/2020 4:59:57 AM Microchip PCN Registration Process Full Article
process Shia clerics insist on bringing out processions By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 04:38:49 +0500 ISLAMABAD: Several Shia groups have conveyed to the government that they will bring out processions to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali and it cannot ban them. The resolve was expressed by top Shia clerics belonging to different religio-political groups during a meeting with Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri here on Friday. The Shia clerics belonging to Sindh and Punjab participated in the meeting through video link. The minister said the current situation required the protection of people from coronavirus and it should be the top priority. He said that permission for the processions would be granted after consultation with the provinces. The meeting was called to discuss the mourning processions and gatherings related to the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali falling on May 13 to 15 (19th to 21st Ramazan). While the Sindh government took the decision to ban the processions on April 28, the leaders of Shia groups expressed their defiance only two days ago. Leaders of Shia groups meet minister “This created a conflict-like situation. The government should have controlled the social media activism by sectarian groups,” said a senior Shia cleric. He said some proscribed groups had issued provocative and derogatory statements on social media following the Sindh government’s decision. During the meeting, Mr Qadri lauded the clerics’ role and said religious circles had largely implemented the 20-point action plan agreed between the government and ulema. He praised the managements of Shia mosques for abiding by the directives. The meeting was attended by Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen head Allama Nasir Abbas, Shia Ulema Council secretary general Allama Arif Wahidi and Tehreek Nifaz-i-Fiqah Jafaria (TNFJ) senior leaders Allama Basharat Imami and Allama Qamar Zaidi. Allama Nasir Abbas and Allama Arif Wahidi pointed out that President Arif Alvi had announced that the processions commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali too would be allowed following the SOPs agreed under the 20-point action plan. However, Allama Qamar Zaidi told the religious affairs minister that the TNFJ would not accept any obstruction or binding to restrict the processions. Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2020 Full Article Pakistan
process SST Announces Qualification of Smartbit™ OTP NVM Technology for ON Semiconductor’s 110 nm CMOS Process By www.microchip.com Published On :: 5/24/2017 2:13:00 AM SST Announces Qualification of Smartbit™ OTP NVM Technology for ON Semiconductor’s 110 nm CMOS Process Full Article
process SST and UMC Announce Qualification of Embedded SuperFlash® Technology on 40 nm CMOS Process By www.microchip.com Published On :: 4/30/2018 2:01:00 PM SST and UMC Announce Qualification of Embedded SuperFlash® Technology on 40 nm CMOS Process Full Article
process High-Value Coconut Processing Project By www.adb.org Published On :: 2019-12-20 00:00:00 Approved project 53313-001 in Indonesia. Full Article
process Amazon enters quantum computing race with cloud quantum processors By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Dec 2019 17:41:50 +0000 Amazon has combined three types of quantum computing processors from D-Wave Systems, IonQ, and Rigetti Computing into a cloud service to test quantum algorithms Full Article
process Quality 2020: Problem Solving to Connect People, Processes, and Technology By news.harman.com Published On :: Mon, 18 Nov 2019 15:00:00 GMT In business and in life, measuring progress is a crucial step to staying on track and achieving your goals. After all, how can you determine how far you’ve come without looking back to where you began? As HARMAN continues to celebrate World Quality... Full Article
process Updated PMC journal review process and minimum requirements By www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Published On :: Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:00:00 EST The PMC Overview and FAQ have been updated to provide more information on the Scientific Quality Review Process for journals that apply to participate in PMC.In 2014, PMC implemented a scientific and editorial quality review procedure whereby expert consultants from outside the National Library of Medicine (NLM) conduct an independent review of journals seeking to participate in PMC. This was in response to a significant increase in new publishers and journals applying to participate in PMC, many of which are unknown to NLM in terms of quality and publishing practices. The independent review, which was approved by the PMC National Advisory Committee (see minutes from June 10, 2014), follows an assessment by NLM that the journal meets NLM’s criteria for its collection, as outlined in the Collection Development Manual.PMC also recently updated the minimum requirement on the number of substantive, peer-reviewed articles needed before a journal can apply to PMC. The new 25-article minimum ensures that the reviewers have a sufficient amount of content on which to base their recommendation for inclusion in PMC. The new minimum article requirement takes effect on January 1, 2016. Publishers are encouraged to use the 25-article minimum as a guideline in the interim when submitting applications. Full Article
process Laser Process May Kill Bacteria on Metal Surfaces By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:00 PDT Title: Laser Process May Kill Bacteria on Metal SurfacesCategory: Health NewsCreated: 4/16/2020 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 4/17/2020 12:00:00 AM Full Article
process Decitabine Response in Breast Cancer Requires Efficient Drug Processing and Is Not Limited by Multidrug Resistance By mct.aacrjournals.org Published On :: 2020-05-04T05:39:42-07:00 Dysregulation of DNA methylation is an established feature of breast cancers. DNA demethylating therapies like decitabine are proposed for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) and indicators of response need to be identified. For this purpose, we characterized the effects of decitabine in a panel of 10 breast cancer cell lines and observed a range of sensitivity to decitabine that was not subtype specific. Knockdown of potential key effectors demonstrated the requirement of deoxycytidine kinase (DCK) for decitabine response in breast cancer cells. In treatment-naïve breast tumors, DCK was higher in TNBCs, and DCK levels were sustained or increased post chemotherapy treatment. This suggests that limited DCK levels will not be a barrier to response in patients with TNBC treated with decitabine as a second-line treatment or in a clinical trial. Methylome analysis revealed that genome-wide, region-specific, tumor suppressor gene–specific methylation, and decitabine-induced demethylation did not predict response to decitabine. Gene set enrichment analysis of transcriptome data demonstrated that decitabine induced genes within apoptosis, cell cycle, stress, and immune pathways. Induced genes included those characterized by the viral mimicry response; however, knockdown of key effectors of the pathway did not affect decitabine sensitivity suggesting that breast cancer growth suppression by decitabine is independent of viral mimicry. Finally, taxol-resistant breast cancer cells expressing high levels of multidrug resistance transporter ABCB1 remained sensitive to decitabine, suggesting that the drug could be used as second-line treatment for chemoresistant patients. Full Article
process Lipid rafts in glial cells: role in neuroinflammation and pain processing [Thematic Reviews] By www.jlr.org Published On :: 2020-05-01T00:05:27-07:00 Activation of microglia and astrocytes secondary to inflammatory processes contributes to the development and perpetuation of pain with a neuropathic phenotype. This pain state presents as a chronic debilitating condition and affects a large population of patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, or after surgery, trauma, or chemotherapy. Here, we review the regulation of lipid rafts in glial cells and the role they play as a key component of neuroinflammatory sensitization of central pain signaling pathways. In this context, we introduce the concept of an inflammaraft (i-raft), enlarged lipid rafts harboring activated receptors and adaptor molecules and serving as an organizing platform to initiate inflammatory signaling and the cellular response. Characteristics of the inflammaraft include increased relative abundance of lipid rafts in inflammatory cells, increased content of cholesterol per raft, and increased levels of inflammatory receptors, such as toll-like receptor (TLR)4, adaptor molecules, ion channels, and enzymes in lipid rafts. This inflammaraft motif serves an important role in the membrane assembly of protein complexes, for example, TLR4 dimerization. Operating within this framework, we demonstrate the involvement of inflammatory receptors, redox molecules, and ion channels in the inflammaraft formation and the regulation of cholesterol and sphingolipid metabolism in the inflammaraft maintenance and disruption. Strategies for targeting inflammarafts, without affecting the integrity of lipid rafts in noninflammatory cells, may lead to developing novel therapies for neuropathic pain states and other neuroinflammatory conditions. Full Article
process Structural Basis of Ca2+-Dependent Self-Processing Activity of Repeat-in-Toxin Proteins By mbio.asm.org Published On :: 2020-03-17T01:30:14-07:00 ABSTRACT The posttranslational Ca2+-dependent "clip-and-link" activity of large repeat-in-toxin (RTX) proteins starts by Ca2+-dependent structural rearrangement of a highly conserved self-processing module (SPM). Subsequently, an internal aspartate-proline (Asp-Pro) peptide bond at the N-terminal end of SPM breaks, and the liberated C-terminal aspartyl residue can react with a free -amino group of an adjacent lysine residue to form a new isopeptide bond. Here, we report a solution structure of the calcium-loaded SPM (Ca-SPM) derived from the FrpC protein of Neisseria meningitidis. The Ca-SPM structure defines a unique protein architecture and provides structural insight into the autocatalytic cleavage of the Asp-Pro peptide bond through a "twisted-amide" activation. Furthermore, in-frame deletion of the SPM domain from the ApxIVA protein of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae attenuated the virulence of this porcine pathogen in a pig respiratory challenge model. We hypothesize that the Ca2+-dependent clip-and-link activity represents an unconventional strategy for Gram-negative pathogens to adhere to the host target cell surface. IMPORTANCE The Ca2+-dependent clip-and-link activity of large repeat-in-toxin (RTX) proteins is an exceptional posttranslational process in which an internal domain called a self-processing module (SPM) mediates Ca2+-dependent processing of a highly specific aspartate-proline (Asp-Pro) peptide bond and covalent linkage of the released aspartyl to an adjacent lysine residue through an isopeptide bond. Here, we report the solution structures of the Ca2+-loaded SPM (Ca-SPM) defining the mechanism of the autocatalytic cleavage of the Asp414-Pro415 peptide bond of the Neisseria meningitidis FrpC exoprotein. Moreover, deletion of the SPM domain in the ApxIVA protein, the FrpC homolog of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, resulted in attenuation of virulence of the bacterium in a pig infection model, indicating that the Ca2+-dependent clip-and-link activity plays a role in the virulence of Gram-negative pathogens. Full Article
process Processing, Export, and Identification of Novel Linear Peptides from Staphylococcus aureus By mbio.asm.org Published On :: 2020-04-14T01:31:22-07:00 ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus can colonize the human host and cause a variety of superficial and invasive infections. The success of S. aureus as a pathogen derives from its ability to modulate its virulence through the release, sensing of and response to cyclic signaling peptides. Here we provide, for the first time, evidence that S. aureus processes and secretes small linear peptides through a specialized pathway that converts a lipoprotein leader into an extracellular peptide signal. We have identified and confirmed the machinery for each step and demonstrate that the putative membrane metalloprotease Eep and the EcsAB transporter are required to complete the processing and secretion of the peptides. In addition, we have identified several linear peptides, including the interspecies signaling molecule staph-cAM373, that are dependent on this processing and secretion pathway. These findings are particularly important because multiple Gram-positive bacteria rely on small linear peptides to control bacterial gene expression and virulence. IMPORTANCE Here, we provide evidence indicating that S. aureus secretes small linear peptides into the environment via a novel processing and secretion pathway. The discovery of a specialized pathway for the production of small linear peptides and the identification of these peptides leads to several important questions regarding their role in S. aureus biology, most interestingly, their potential to act as signaling molecules. The observations in this study provide a foundation for further in-depth studies into the biological activity of small linear peptides in S. aureus. Full Article
process Covert sleep-related biological processes are revealed by probabilistic analysis in Drosophila [Neuroscience] By www.pnas.org Published On :: 2020-05-05T10:31:24-07:00 Sleep pressure and sleep depth are key regulators of wake and sleep. Current methods of measuring these parameters in Drosophila melanogaster have low temporal resolution and/or require disrupting sleep. Here we report analysis tools for high-resolution, noninvasive measurement of sleep pressure and depth from movement data. Probability of initiating activity,... Full Article
process In vitro insulin treatment reverses changes elicited by nutrients in cellular metabolic processes that regulate food intake in fish [RESEARCH ARTICLE] By jeb.biologists.org Published On :: 2020-04-23T02:38:05-07:00 Ayelen M. Blanco, Juan I. Bertucci, Jose L. Soengas, and Suraj Unniappan This research assessed the direct effects of insulin on nutrient-sensing mechanisms in the brain of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using an in vitro approach. Cultured hypothalamus and hindbrain were exposed to 1 µmol l–1 insulin for 3 h, and signals involved in appetite regulation and nutrient-sensing mechanisms were measured. Additionally, the involvement of the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway in the actions of insulin was studied by using the inhibitor wortmannin. Treatment with insulin alone did not elicit many changes in the appetite regulators and nutrient-sensing-related genes and enzymes tested in the hypothalamus and hindbrain. However, we found that, when insulin and nutrients were added together, insulin reversed most of the effects exerted by nutrients alone, suggesting that insulin changes responsiveness to nutrients at the central level. Effects reversed by insulin included expression levels of genes related to the sensing of both glucose (slc2a2, slc5a1, gck, pck1, pklr, g6pcb, gys1, tas1r3 and nr1h3 in the hindbrain, and slc2a2, pklr and pck1 in the hypothalamus) and fatty acid (cd36 in the hindbrain, and cd36 and acly in the hypothalamus). Nutrient-induced changes in the activity of Acly and Cpt-1 in the hindbrain and of Pepck, Acly, Fas and Hoad in the hypothalamus were also reversed by insulin. Most of the insulin effects disappeared in the presence of wortmannin, suggesting the PI3K/Akt pathway is a mediator of the effects of insulin reported here. This study adds new information to our knowledge of the mechanisms regulating nutrient sensing in fish. Full Article
process Fly eyes are not still: a motion illusion in Drosophila flight supports parallel visual processing [RESEARCH ARTICLE] By jeb.biologists.org Published On :: 2020-04-22T03:44:39-07:00 Wael Salem, Benjamin Cellini, Mark A. Frye, and Jean-Michel MongeauMost animals shift gaze by a ‘fixate and saccade’ strategy, where the fixation phase stabilizes background motion. A logical prerequisite for robust detection and tracking of moving foreground objects, therefore, is to suppress the perception of background motion. In a virtual reality magnetic tether system enabling free yaw movement, Drosophila implemented a fixate and saccade strategy in the presence of a static panorama. When the spatial wavelength of a vertical grating was below the Nyquist wavelength of the compound eyes, flies drifted continuously and gaze could not be maintained at a single location. Because the drift occurs from a motionless stimulus—thus any perceived motion stimuli are generated by the fly itself—it is illusory, driven by perceptual aliasing. Notably, the drift speed was significantly faster than under a uniform panorama suggesting perceptual enhancement due to aliasing. Under the same visual conditions in a rigid tether paradigm, wing steering responses to the unresolvable static panorama were not distinguishable from a resolvable static pattern, suggesting visual aliasing is induced by ego motion. We hypothesized that obstructing the control of gaze fixation also disrupts detection and tracking of objects. Using the illusory motion stimulus, we show that magnetically tethered Drosophila track objects robustly in flight even when gaze is not fixated as flies continuously drift. Taken together, our study provides further support for parallel visual motion processing and reveals the critical influence of body motion on visuomotor processing. Motion illusions can reveal important shared principles of information processing across taxa. Full Article
process RNA helicase-regulated processing of the Synechocystis rimO-crhR operon results in differential cistron expression and accumulation of two sRNAs [Gene Regulation] By www.jbc.org Published On :: 2020-05-08T03:41:14-07:00 The arrangement of functionally-related genes in operons is a fundamental element of how genetic information is organized in prokaryotes. This organization ensures coordinated gene expression by co-transcription. Often, however, alternative genetic responses to specific stress conditions demand the discoordination of operon expression. During cold temperature stress, accumulation of the gene encoding the sole Asp–Glu–Ala–Asp (DEAD)-box RNA helicase in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, crhR (slr0083), increases 15-fold. Here, we show that crhR is expressed from a dicistronic operon with the methylthiotransferase rimO/miaB (slr0082) gene, followed by rapid processing of the operon transcript into two monocistronic mRNAs. This cleavage event is required for and results in destabilization of the rimO transcript. Results from secondary structure modeling and analysis of RNase E cleavage of the rimO–crhR transcript in vitro suggested that CrhR plays a role in enhancing the rate of the processing in an auto-regulatory manner. Moreover, two putative small RNAs are generated from additional processing, degradation, or both of the rimO transcript. These results suggest a role for the bacterial RNA helicase CrhR in RNase E-dependent mRNA processing in Synechocystis and expand the known range of organisms possessing small RNAs derived from processing of mRNA transcripts. Full Article
process Epidemiological features and medical care-seeking process of patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China By openres.ersjournals.com Published On :: 2020-04-27T00:30:10-07:00 Background We aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical features, and medical care-seeking process of patients with the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, to provide useful information to contain COVID-19 in other places with similar outbreaks of the virus. Methods We collected epidemiological and clinical information of patients with COVID-19 admitted to a makeshift Fangcang hospital between 7 and 26 February, 2020. The waiting time of each step during the medical care-seeking process was also analysed. Results Of the 205 patients with COVID-19 infection, 31% had presumed transmission from a family member. 10% of patients had hospital-related transmission. It took as long as a median of 6 days from the first medical visit to receive the COVID-19 nucleic acid test and 10 days from the first medical visit to hospital admission, indicating early recognition of COVID-19 was not achieved at the early stage of the outbreak, although these delays were shortened later. After clinical recovery from COVID-19, which took a mean of 21 days from illness onset, there was still a substantial proportion of patients who had persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions The diagnostic evaluation process of suspected patients needs to be accelerated at the epicentre of the outbreak and early isolation of infected patients in a healthcare setting rather than at home is urgently required to stop the spread of the virus. Clinical recovery is not an appropriate criterion to release isolated patients and as long as 4 weeks' isolation for patients with COVID-19 is not enough to prevent the spread of the virus. Full Article
process Advances in the use of isotopes in geochemical exploration: instrumentation and applications in understanding geochemical processes By geea.lyellcollection.org Published On :: 2020-05-01T00:30:32-07:00 Among the emerging techniques to detect the real footprint of buried ore deposits is isotope tracing. Novel and automated preparation systems such as continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry, off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy for isotopic compositions of selected molecules, multi-collector inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), triple quadrupole ICP-MS, laser ablation ICP-MS, and a multitude of inline preparation systems have facilitated the use of isotopes as tracers in mineral exploration, as costs for isotope analyses have decreased and the time required for the analyses has improved. In addition, the isotope systems being used have expanded beyond the traditional light stable and Pb isotopes to include a multitude of elements that behave differently during processes that promote the mobilization of elements during both primary and secondary dispersion. Isotopes are also being used to understand barren areas that lack a critical process to form an ore deposit and to reveal precise redox mechanisms. The goal is to be able to use isotopes to reflect a definitive process that occurs in association with the deposit and not in barren systems, and then to relate these to something that is easier to measure, namely elemental concentrations. As new generations of exploration and environmental scientists are becoming more comfortable with the application of isotopes to effectively trace processes involved in geoscience, and new technologies for rapid and inexpensive analyses of isotopes are continually being developed, novel applications of isotope tracing are becoming more mainstream. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Exploration 17 collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/exploration-17 Full Article
process Advancing Biologics Development Programs with Legacy Cell Lines: Advantages and Limitations of Genetic Testing for Addressing Clonality Concerns Prior to Availability of Late Stage Process and Product Consistency Data By journal.pda.org Published On :: 2020-04-09T09:40:03-07:00 The bioprocessing industry uses recombinant mammalian cell lines to generate therapeutic biologic drugs. To ensure consistent product quality of the therapeutic proteins, it is imperative to have a controlled production process. Regulatory agencies and the biotechnology industry consider cell line "clonal origin" an important aspect of maintaining process control. Demonstration of clonal origin of the cell substrate, or production cell line, has received considerable attention in the past few years, and the industry has improved methods and devised standards to increase the probability and/or assurance of clonal derivation. However, older production cell lines developed before the implementation of these methods, herein referred to as "legacy cell lines," may not meet current regulatory expectations for demonstration of clonal derivation. In this article, the members of the IQ Consortium Working Group on Clonality present our position that the demonstration of process consistency and product comparability of critical quality attributes throughout the development life cycle should be sufficient to approve a license application without additional genetic analysis to support clonal origin, even for legacy cell lines that may not meet current day clonal derivation standards. With this commentary, we discuss advantages and limitations of genetic testing methods to support clonal derivation of legacy cell lines and wish to promote a mutual understanding with the regulatory authorities regarding their optional use during early drug development, subsequent to Investigational New Drug (IND) application and before demonstration of product and process consistency at Biologics License Applications (BLA) submission. Full Article
process Bioprocess: Robustness with Respect to Mycoplasma Species By journal.pda.org Published On :: 2020-04-09T09:40:03-07:00 Capture bioprocessing unit operations were previously shown to clear or kill several log10 of a model mycoplasma Acholeplasma laidlawii in lab-scale spike/removal studies. Here, we confirm this observation with two additional mollicute species relevant to biotechnology products for human use: Mycoplasma orale and Mycoplasma arginini. Clearance of M. orale and M. arginini from protein A column purification was similar to that seen with A. laidlawii, though some between cycle carryover was evident, especially for M. orale. However, on-resin growth studies for all three species revealed that residual mycoplasma in a column slowly die off over time rather than expanding further. Solvent/detergent exposure completely inactivated M. arginini though detectable levels of M. orale remained. A small-scale model of a commercial low-pH hold step did inactivate live M. orale, but this inactivation required a lower pH set point and occurred with slower kinetics than previously seen with A. laidlawii. Additionally, ultraviolet-C irradiation was shown to be effective for A. laidlawii and M. orale inactivation whereas virus-retentive filters for upstream and downstream processes, as expected, cleared A. laidlawii. These data argue that M. orale and M. arginini overall would be largely cleared by early bioprocessing steps as shown previously for A. laidlawii, and that barrier technologies can effectively reduce the risk from media components. For some unit operations, M. orale and M. arginini may be hardier, and require more stringent processing or equipment cleaning conditions to assure effective mycoplasma reduction. By exploring how some of the failure modes in commercial antibody manufacturing processes can still eliminate mycoplasma burden, we demonstrate that required best practices assure biotechnology products will be safe for patients. Full Article
process Quantifying the Vial-Capping Process: Reexamination Using Micro-Computed Tomography By journal.pda.org Published On :: 2020-04-09T09:40:03-07:00 A vial-capping process for lyophilization stopper configurations was previously quantified using residual seal force (RSF). A correlation between RSF and container closure integrity (CCI) was established, and component positional offsets were identified to be the primary source of variability in RSF measurements. To gain insight into the effects of stopper geometry on CCI, serum stoppers with the same rubber formulation were investigated in this study. Unlike lyophilization stoppers that passed CCI (per helium leak testing) even with RSF of 0 N owing to their excellent valve seal, serum stoppers consistently failed CCI when RSF was <15.8 N. When the plug was removed, both types of stoppers exhibited a comparable critical lower RSF limit (19–20 N), below which CCI could not be maintained. When CCI was retested at later time points (up to 6 mo), some previously failed vials passed CCI, suggesting that CCI improvement might be related to rubber relaxation (viscous flow), which can fill minor imperfections on the vial finish. To confirm component positional offsets are the primary sources of RSF variability, a novel quantification tool—micro-computed tomography (micro-CT)—was used in this study. Micro-CT provided images for quantification of positional offsets of the cap and stopper that directly correlated with RSF fluctuations. Serum stoppers and lyophilization stoppers are comparable in RSF variations, although lyophilization stoppers are more robust in CCI. The use of micro-CT provides a nondestructive and innovative tool in quantitatively analyzing component features of capped vials that would otherwise be difficult to investigate. Full Article
process Ecological and Ontogenetic Components of Larval Lake Sturgeon Gut Microbiota Assembly, Successional Dynamics, and Ecological Evaluation of Neutral Community Processes [Microbial Ecology] By aem.asm.org Published On :: 2020-05-05T08:00:35-07:00 Gastrointestinal (GI) or gut microbiotas play essential roles in host development and physiology. These roles are influenced partly by the microbial community composition. During early developmental stages, the ecological processes underlying the assembly and successional changes in host GI community composition are influenced by numerous factors, including dispersal from the surrounding environment, age-dependent changes in the gut environment, and changes in dietary regimes. However, the relative importance of these factors to the gut microbiota is not well understood. We examined the effects of environmental (diet and water sources) and host early ontogenetic development on the diversity of and the compositional changes in the gut microbiota of a primitive teleost fish, the lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), based on massively parallel sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Fish larvae were raised in environments that differed in water source (stream versus filtered groundwater) and diet (supplemented versus nonsupplemented Artemia fish). We quantified the gut microbial community structure at three stages (prefeeding and 1 and 2 weeks after exogenous feeding began). The diversity declined and the community composition differed significantly among stages; however, only modest differences associated with dietary or water source treatments were documented. Many taxa present in the gut were over- or underrepresented relative to neutral expectations in each sampling period. The findings indicate dynamic relationships between the gut microbiota composition and host gastrointestinal physiology, with comparatively smaller influences being associated with the rearing environments. Neutral models of community assembly could not be rejected, but selectivity associated with microbe-host GI tract interactions through early ontogenetic stages was evident. The results have implications for sturgeon conservation and aquaculture production specifically and applications of microbe-based management in teleost fish generally. IMPORTANCE We quantified the effects of environment (diet and water sources) and host early ontogenetic development on the diversity of and compositional changes in gut microbial communities based on massively parallel sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes from the GI tracts of larval lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). The gut microbial community diversity declined and the community composition differed significantly among ontogenetic stages; however, only modest differences associated with dietary or water source treatments were documented. Selectivity associated with microbe-host GI tract interactions through early ontogenetic stages was evident. The results have implications for lake sturgeon and early larval ecology and survival in their natural habitat and for conservation and aquaculture production specifically, as well as applications of microbe-based management in teleost fish generally. Full Article
process Red and Processed Meat, Poultry, Fish, and Egg Intakes and Cause-Specific and All-Cause Mortality among Men with Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer in a U.S. Cohort By cebp.aacrjournals.org Published On :: 2020-05-01T00:05:36-07:00 Background: Research on the relationship of meat, fish, and egg consumption and mortality among prostate cancer survivors is limited. Methods: In the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort, men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer between baseline in 1992/1993 and 2015 were followed for mortality until 2016. Analyses of pre- and postdiagnosis intakes of red and processed meat, poultry, fish, and eggs included 9,286 and 4,882 survivors, respectively. Multivariable-adjusted RRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: A total of 4,682 and 2,768 deaths occurred during follow-up in pre- and postdiagnosis analyses, respectively. Both pre- and postdiagnosis intakes of total red and processed meat were positively associated with all-cause mortality (quartile 4 vs. 1: RR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03–1.25; Ptrend = 0.02; RR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.07–1.39; Ptrend = 0.03, respectively), and both pre- and postdiagnosis poultry intakes were inversely associated with all-cause mortality (quartile 4 vs. 1 RR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82–0.98; Ptrend = 0.04; RR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75–0.95; Ptrend = 0.01, respectively). No associations were seen for prostate cancer–specific mortality, except that higher postdiagnosis unprocessed red meat intake was associated with lower risk. Conclusions: Higher red and processed meat, and lower poultry, intakes either before or after prostate cancer diagnosis were associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality. Impact: Our findings provide additional evidence that prostate cancer survivors should follow the nutrition guidelines limiting red and processed meat consumption to improve overall survival. Additional research on the relationship of specific meat types and mortality is needed. Full Article
process Natural Language Processing Dates Back to Kabbalist Mystics By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Mon, 28 Oct 2019 13:00:00 GMT Long before NLP became a hot field in AI, people devised rules and machines to manipulate language Full Article robotics robotics/artificial-intelligence
process NASA Releases Reprocessed Photos of Jupiter’s Moon Europa By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 14:02:51 +0000 The newly-remastered images show the icy surface of Europa, the sixth of Jupiter’s moons and the fourth largest, in enhanced color. All three high-resolution images were captured along the same longitude of Europa as NASA’s Galileo spacecraft flew by on September 26, 1998, in the eighth of the spacecraft’s 11 targeted flybys of the icy [...] Full Article Featured Planetary Science Space Exploration Europa Galileo Jupiter NASA Solar System
process How does the brain link events to form a memory? Study reveals unexpected mental processes By www.sciencedaily.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 11:29:03 EDT The brain has a powerful ability to remember and connect events separated in time. And now, in a new study in mice, scientists have shed light on how the brain can form such enduring links. Full Article
process Investigating Tara Reade’s Claims Doesn’t Violate Due Process By www.thenation.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 09:00:59 +0000 Sarah Nesbitt, Sage Carson Democrats must show that their values do not bow to partisanship and call for a meaningful investigation into the allegations against Joe Biden. The post Investigating Tara Reade’s Claims Doesn’t Violate Due Process appeared first on The Nation. Full Article
process Liverpool suspend season ticket renewal process due to coronavirus uncertainty By www.standard.co.uk Published On :: 2020-04-20T10:28:11Z Liverpool have suspended their scheduled Premier League season ticket renewal process due to the coronavirus pandemic. Full Article
process How does the brain link events to form a memory? Study reveals unexpected mental processes By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT The brain has a powerful ability to remember and connect events separated in time. And now, in a new study in mice published today in Neuron, scientists at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute have shed light on how the brain can form such enduring links. Full Article
process North Carolina Poultry Processing Plant and Manager Indicted for Violations of Clean Water Act By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:48:10 EST A federal grand jury in Greensboro, N.C., returned an indictment today charging a poultry processor and a plant manager with multiple violations of the Clean Water Act for illegally discharging wastewater from its Raeford, N.C., based facility Full Article OPA Press Releases
process Leader of Hacking Ring Sentenced for Massive Identity Thefts from Payment Processor and U.S. Retail Networks By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:41:24 EDT Albert Gonzalez, of Miami, the leader of the largest hacking and identity theft ring ever prosecuted by the U.S. government, has been sentenced to 20 years and one day in prison for his role in a series of hacks into a major payment processor and several retail networks. Full Article OPA Press Releases
process Justice Department Announces 2011 Application Process for Public Safety Funding for Tribal Communities By www.justice.gov Published On :: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:40:39 EST The Department of Justice announced today that it is accepting applications from Native American and Alaska Native tribal communities for funding to improve public safety in Indian country via the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS). Full Article OPA Press Releases
process Food Processor to Pay $390,000 Penalty for Illegal Wastewater Discharges into Kansas-Oklahoma River By www.justice.gov Published On :: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:37:08 EST An Illinois food processing company has agreed to pay a $390,000 civil penalty to the United States to settle allegations that its Baxter Springs, Kan., processing facility overloaded the city’s wastewater treatment system with millions of gallons of industrial wastewater, at times causing pollution along a 22-mile-long section of the Spring River in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma. Full Article OPA Press Releases
process Department of Justice and USDA Announce Process to Resolve Discrimination Claims of Hispanic and Women Farmers By www.justice.gov Published On :: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:12:05 EST As part of continued efforts to close the chapter on allegations that discrimination occurred at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in past decades. Full Article OPA Press Releases
process Justice Department Reaches ADA Settlement to Make Law School Application Processes Accessible to Blind Applicants By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:30:52 EDT The Justice Department announced today its participation in two related settlement agreements involving the accessibility of the Law School Admission Council’s online application service, which is used by law schools nationwide for their application processes. Full Article OPA Press Releases
process Justice Department Files Antitrust Lawsuit Challenging George’s Inc.’s Acquisition of Tyson Foods Inc.’s Harrisonburg, Va., Poultry Processing Complex By www.justice.gov Published On :: Tue, 10 May 2011 15:54:38 EDT The Department of Justice filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today challenging George’s Inc.’s acquisition of Tyson Foods’ Harrisonburg, Va., chicken processing complex. Full Article OPA Press Releases