Navigating "the job market" within and beyond academia

Navigating “the job market” is a major challenge for Ph.D. candidates and recent graduates. This panel from ALISE’s Doctoral Student Special Interest Group will focus on how to find and apply for a variety of positions that doctoral candidates and recent graduates are qualified to hold. After completing a poll from the SIG conveners, Doctoral Student SIG members indicated that they wanted the 2021 session to focus on the job market. Jobs to be discussed include postdoctoral, tenure-track, government, and industry positions. Tenure-track academic jobs are scarce, especially given the saturation of the market with recent graduates and post docs looking for full-time positions. Challenges of COVID-19 including hiring freezes and budgetary cuts have exacerbated these circumstances. Further, when academic jobs are available, the process of applying to and interviewing for these positions is opaque, as students are unevenly mentored about how to prepare for job applications, initial interviews, and campus visits. However, given the scarcity of academic and especially tenure-track jobs, it is unreasonable to expect that all Ph.D. graduates will obtain a tenure-track position; many also do not want to remain in academia. Information and advice about how graduate students can translate their skills into other arenas, including government and industry jobs, can be lacking in academic departments. This is a challenge for doctoral students who do not wish to remain in academia or who cannot do so due to market circumstances. When applying for industry and government jobs, students must translate the skills they gain through their Ph.D. in ways that appeal to either domain. Moreover, resumés, cover letters, and other supplementary application materials look very different from academic CVs, cover letters, and application statements. It can be difficult for students to receive advice about preparing for non-academic jobs outside of services that require them to pay significant sums of money for assistance. This panel will therefore present advice and strategies about multiple iterations of the post-graduate “job market.” Panelists will discuss their experiences applying for jobs both within and outside of the academy. Specifically, they will discuss a) their decision-making processes about where to apply; b) the process of applying for academic jobs vs. government and industry jobs; c) preparing for interviews; d) negotiating offers. Panelists will also share virtual “handouts” with attendees, including examples of academic and non-academic job application materials. Attendees will be able to ask questions and/or share their own experiences after panelists present. Specifically, the session will proceed as follows: 1. Welcome and introduction of panelists (5 min) 2. Panelist presentations centered on key topics (15 min each) 3. Moderated Q&A (30 min) 4. Concluding thoughts and resource sharing (10 min) Attendees should leave the SIG Session with practical knowledge about applying for jobs with a Ph.D

Factors Influencing Largemouth Bass Recruitment: Implications for the Illinois Management and Stocking Program

Annual Progress Report issued August 2002; NOTE: Two different reports numbered 02/06 were issued from the CAE.Report issued on: August 2002INHS Technical Report prepared for Division of Fisheries Illinois Department of Natural Resource

Tilting micromirror platform based on liquid dielectrophoresis

This study presents an electrically actuated tilting micro platform based on liquid dielectrophoresis with three axes movement using three droplets situated 120° apart from each other. The interdigitated electrodes produce a non-uniform electric field that generates a body force. The dielectrophoretic mechanism is responsive within at least 30 ms, and it eliminates the solid-solid contact. The tilting platform enabled an angular coverage up to 0.9° (±0.02°), with a maximum displacement of 120 µm. The tilting micromirror platform has beam steering characteristics suitable for various optical applications. The actuating platform sensor is a cost-effective and simple alternative method to study liquid dielectrophoresis without measuring the droplet contact angle. Furthermore, the unique configuration without any solid-solid contact offers a potential improvement for applications in optics, actuators, and other conventional microelectromechanical systems

Enfoques de sistemas socioecológicos, esenciales para comprender y responder a los impactos complejos de COVID-19 en las personas y el medio ambiente

La pandemia de la enfermedad del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) está impactando dramáticamente los sistemas sociales planetarios y humanos que están inseparablemente vinculados. Las enfermedades zoonóticas como la COVID-19 exponen cómo el bienestar humano está inextricablemente interconectado con el medio ambiente y con otras crisis socioecológicas convergentes (impulsadas por los humanos), como las pérdidas dramáticas de biodiversidad, el cambio en el uso de la tierra y el cambio climático. Argumentamos que el COVID-19 es en sí mismo una crisis socioecológica, pero hasta ahora las respuestas no han incluido la resiliencia ecológica, en parte porque la metáfora de la “Antropausa” ha creado una sensación poco realista de comodidad que excusa la inacción. Las narrativas de la antropausa desmienten el hecho de que la extracción de recursos ha continuado durante la pandemia y que los negocios como de costumbre continúan causando una degradación generalizada del ecosistema que requiere atención política inmediata. En algunos casos, las medidas de política de COVID-19 contribuyeron aún más al problema, como la reducción de los impuestos ambientales o la aplicación de las normas. Mientras que algunos sistemas socioecológicos (SSE) están experimentando impactos reducidos, otros están experimentando lo que llamamos un "Antrochoque", con más visitantes y un uso intensificado. Las diversas causas e impactos de la pandemia se pueden comprender mejor con una lente socioecológica. Los conocimientos socioecológicos son necesarios para planificar y desarrollar la resiliencia necesaria para enfrentar la pandemia y futuras crisis socioecológicas. Si nosotros, como sociedad, nos tomamos en serio la reconstrucción mejor de la pandemia, debemos adoptar un conjunto de respuestas de investigación y políticas informadas por el pensamiento SSE

Genome-to-genome analysis highlights the effect of the human innate and adaptive immune systems on the hepatitis C virus

Outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment depend on viral and host genetic factors. Here we use human genome-wide genotyping arrays and new whole-genome HCV viral sequencing technologies to perform a systematic genome-to-genome study of 542 individuals who were chronically infected with HCV, predominantly genotype 3. We show that both alleles of genes encoding human leukocyte antigen molecules and genes encoding components of the interferon lambda innate immune system drive viral polymorphism. Additionally, we show that IFNL4 genotypes determine HCV viral load through a mechanism dependent on a specific amino acid residue in the HCV NS5A protein. These findings highlight the interplay between the innate immune system and the viral genome in HCV control

Consequences of “natural” disasters on aquatic life and habitats

“Natural” disasters (also known as geophysical disasters) involve physical processes that have a direct or indirect impact on humans. These events occur rapidly and may have severe consequences for resident flora and fauna as their habitat undergoes dramatic and sudden change. Although most studies have focused on the impact of natural disasters on humans and terrestrial systems, geophysical disasters can also impact aquatic ecosystems. Here, we provide a synthesis on the effects of the most common and destructive geophysical disasters on aquatic systems (life and habitat). Our approach spanned realms (i.e., freshwater, estuarine, and marine) and taxa (i.e., plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, and microbes) and included floods, droughts, wildfires, hurricanes/cyclones/typhoons, tornadoes, dust storms, ice storms, avalanches (snow), landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes (including limnic eruptions), tsunamis, and cosmic events. Many geophysical disasters have dramatic effects on aquatic systems. The evidence base is somewhat limited for some natural disasters because transient events (e.g., tornadoes and floods) are difficult to study. Most natural disaster studies focus on geology/geomorphology and hazard assessment for humans and infrastructure. However, the destruction of aquatic systems can impact humans indirectly through loss of food security, cultural services, or livelihoods. Many geophysical disasters interact in complex ways (e.g., wildfires often lead to landslides and flooding) and can be magnified or otherwise mediated by human activities. Our synthesis reveals that geophysical events influence aquatic ecosystems, often in negative ways, yet systems can be resilient provided that effects are not compounded by anthropogenic stressors. It is difficult to predict or prevent geophysical disasters but understanding how aquatic ecosystems are influenced by geophysical events is important given the inherent connection between peoples and aquatic ecosystems.acceptedVersio

A Self-Consistent Model for Positronium Formation from Helium Atoms

The differential and total cross sections for electron capture by positrons from helium atoms are calculated using a first-order distorted wave theory satisfying the Coulomb boundary conditions. In this formalism a parametric potential is used to describe the electron screening in a consistent and realistic manner. The present procedure is self consistent because (i) it satisfies the correct boundary conditions and post-prior symmetry, and (ii) the potential and the electron binding energies appearing in the transition amplitude are consistent with the wave functions describing the collision system. The results are compared with the other theories and with the available experimental measurements. At the considered range of collision energies, the results agree reasonably well with recent experiments and theories. [Note: This paper will be published on volume 42 of the Brazilian Journal of Physics

A pilot randomised controlled trial of personalised care for depressed patients with symptomatic coronary heart disease in South London general practices: the UPBEAT-UK RCT protocol and recruitment.

ABSTRACT: Background: Community studies reveal people with coronary heart disease (CHD) are twice as likely to be depressed as the general population and that this co-morbidity negatively affects the course and outcome of both conditions. There is evidence for the efficacy of collaborative care and case management for depression treatment, and whilst NICE guidelines recommend these approaches only where depression has not responded to psychological, pharmacological, or combined treatments, these care approaches may be particularly relevant to the needs of people with CHD and depression in the earlier stages of stepped care in primary care settings. Methods: This pilot randomised controlled trial will evaluate whether a simple intervention involving a personalised care plan, elements of case management and regular telephone review is a feasible and acceptable intervention that leads to better mental and physical health outcomes for these patients. The comparator group will be usual general practitioner (GP) care. 81 participants have been recruited from CHD registers of 15 South London general practices. Eligible participants have probable major depression identified by a score of ≥8 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression subscale (HADS-D) together with symptomatic CHD identified using the Modified Rose Angina Questionnaire. Consenting participants are randomly allocated to usual care or the personalised care intervention which involves a comprehensive assessment of each participant’s physical and mental health needs which are documented in a care plan, followed by regular telephone reviews by the case manager over a 6-month period. At each review, the intervention participant’s mood, function and identified problems are reviewed and the case manager uses evidence based behaviour change techniques to facilitate achievement of goals specified by the patient with the aim of increasing the patient’s self efficacy to solve their problems. Depressive symptoms measured by HADS score will be collected at baseline and 1, 6- and 12 months post randomisation. Other outcomes include CHD symptoms, quality of life, wellbeing and health service utilisation. Discussion: This practical and patient-focused intervention is potentially an effective and accessible approach to the health and social care needs of people with depression and CHD in primary care. Trial registration: ISRCTN21615909

Technical challenges of working with extracellular vesicles

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are gaining interest as central players in liquid biopsies, with potential applications in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic guidance in most pathological conditions. These nanosized particles transmit signals determined by their protein, lipid, nucleic acid and sugar content, and the unique molecular pattern of EVs dictates the type of signal to be transmitted to recipient cells. However, their small sizes and the limited quantities that can usually be obtained from patient-derived samples pose a number of challenges to their isolation, study and characterization. These challenges and some possible options to overcome them are discussed in this review

Viral genome wide association study identifies novel hepatitis C virus polymorphisms associated with sofosbuvir treatment failure

Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease, worldwide. With the development of direct-acting antivirals, treatment of chronically infected patients has become highly effective, although a subset of patients responds less well to therapy. Sofosbuvir is a common component of current de novo or salvage combination therapies, that targets the HCV NS5B polymerase. We use pre-treatment whole-genome sequences of HCV from 507 patients infected with HCV subtype 3a and treated with sofosbuvir containing regimens to detect viral polymorphisms associated with response to treatment. We find three common polymorphisms in non-targeted HCV NS2 and NS3 proteins are associated with reduced treatment response. These polymorphisms are enriched in post-treatment HCV sequences of patients unresponsive to treatment. They are also associated with lower reductions in viral load in the first week of therapy. Using in vitro short-term dose-response assays, these polymorphisms do not cause any reduction in sofosbuvir potency, suggesting an indirect mechanism of action in decreasing sofosbuvir efficacy. The identification of polymorphisms in NS2 and NS3 proteins associated with poor treatment outcomes emphasises the value of systematic genome-wide analyses of viruses in uncovering clinically relevant polymorphisms that impact treatment